Prashanth Reddy focusing on Balkonda for hat-trick victory
NIZAMABAD: Minister for Roads and Housing Prashanth Reddy is fully concentrating on the Balkonda assembly constituency for a hat-trick victory in the upcoming polls.
For the last two months, he has been making whirlwind tours of the constituency and meeting different sections of the people. He is zealously supervising the developmental works as well as the implementation of welfare schemes.
Prashanth Reddy contested the assembly polls in 2014 as the BRS nominee and won the seat with 69,145 votes (47.48 per cent) against his nearest rival, the then Congress MLA Eravathri Anilkumar, who got 32,897 votes (22.59 per cent). In the first term of the BRS government, Prashanth Reddy was elevated as vice chairman of the Mission Bhagiratha.
In the 2018 assembly elections, Prashanth Reddy was elected as MLA for the second time with 73,662 votes (47.57 per cent). Surprisingly, BSP candidate Muthyala Sunil stood second with 41,254 votes (26.64 per cent). The BSP performance created a sensation in Balkonda.
In the second term of the BRS government, Prashanth Reddy became a cabinet minister. He is known for his close rapport with Chief Minister KCR. He won the minister post by setting aside senior MLAs like Pocharam Srinivas, Gampa Govardhan, and Bajireddy Govardhan from the undivided Nizamabad district.
BJP candidate Mallikarjun Reddy and Congress leader Muthyala Sunilkumar are striving hard in the Balkonda assembly constituency for victory in the coming elections. Compared with the other constituencies in the undivided Nizamabad district, Balkonda turned politically sensitive.
Prashanth Reddy is trying to overcome the anti-incumbency trend and win the polls again this time. By meeting community elders, women leaders, youths, and others, the minister’s followers are strengthening the base for the minister.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, BRS insiders said Prashanth Reddy made a lot of efforts for a cakewalk victory in the coming assembly elections. But, political equations are different in Balkonda where his opponents are strong. Former MLA Eravathri Anil paved the way for Congress leader Muthyala Sunil for a tough competition.