The political parties that steal the limelight in an election but this time, an array of seasoned political leaders and individuals with proven track record may also end up influencing the outcome in polls to the two Legislative Council seats under the Graduate constituency which is partially heating up the campaigning process.
It is the profile of candidates, carefully chosen by the ruling TRS and opposition BJP and Congress parties that has changed the complexion of the normally low profile MLC election into a keenly contested electoral battle on the lines of general Assembly election.
With the last date to file nominations for the election to two MLC seats under the graduates’ constituencies coming to an end today, the main political parties – TRS, BJP and Congress have geared up for intensified poll campaigns.
The opposition parties want to corner the government on issues like pending PRC for government employees and delayed job notification. The opposition feels that this would be a major issue during the entire campaign and the government will have a tough time to explain its stand and convince the voters.
They claim that it would not be possible for the government to announce and implement PRC till all elections, including the by-election to the Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly constituency, are over. Employees are frustrated over the delay, they add. The opposition BJP and Congress are pinning all hopes that they would be the beneficiaries of the anti-incumbency votes.
Ground reports indicate that the fight is going to be a tough one for the ruling party.In Nalgonda – Warangal – Khammam graduates’ constituency, Telangana Jana Samithi president Prof M Kodandaram, Rani Rudramma of Yuva Telangana and left candidate Jayasaradhi have intensified their campaign.
TRS senior leaders from the poll bound districts while exuding confidence that they would win the elections even if the majority goes down however admit that at the moment they are facing an uphill task. They are putting in best of their efforts to convince the voters regarding the reasons for delay in PRC and filling of vacant jobs. Teaching staff in the private schools and colleges were also angry with the government as a good number of them had lost jobs during the corona pandemic last year. Unlike in general constituencies, in these elections all parties have a tough time since the voters are graduates and money factor may not be that effective.
The sitting MLC from Nalgonda segment P Rajeswar Reddy has been facing the heat from the unemployed youth during the local public meetings. Hyderabad segment candidate Surabhi Vani Devi, who is a new entrant in electoral politics, is relying more on the popularity of her father and former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. The BJP leadership on the other hand has been holding direct contact programmes with voters in the districts.
The major challenge for the party is regarding Nalgonda graduates’ constituency candidate G Premender Reddy as he is facing tough competition from Prof Kodandaram, Rani Rudramma Reddy, Cheruku Sudhakar Reddy and Teenmar Mallanna. Telangana Congress candidates from Nalgonda and Hyderabad segments Ramulu Naik and G Chinna Reddy are already making all-out efforts to reach out to every voter but the group politics in the Congress may affect the winning chances.
Former MLC Prof K Nageshwar independent candidate had won twice in the past from Hyderabad – Warangal – Mahbubnagar graduates’ segment and will be giving a tough fight to his rivals from TRS, BJP and Congress.
Interestingly, the socially aware graduate voters may well weigh the profile of candidates, their contribution and performance before casting their vote, cutting above the party lines, on March 14.
The voting pattern may not be entirely on the basis of political party, say some observers keenly watching the developments and campaign by rival parties.
Former Minister and AICC general secretary G. Chinna Reddy from the Congress, N. Ramachandra Rao, advocate and outgoing MLC from BJP, Surabhi Vani Devi, educationist, social worker and daughter of late Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and former MLC Prof K Nageswara Rao, Independent candidate known for his incisive analysis socio political and economic issues, are prominent among those in the field for MLC seat from Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Mahbubnagr Graduate constituency.
The selection of Ms.Vani Devi as TRS candidate is seen as a deft move by TRS supremo to leverage the goodwill of people for late PV Narasimha Rao and ‘son of the soil of Telangana’.
The TRS leaders often lamented that late PV was not given his due by the Congress high command for his immense contribution to the national economy.
For Warangal, Nalgonda and Khammam Graduate constituency, it’s former MLC Ramulu Naik (Congress) Premender Reddy (BJP), Palla Rajeswahar Reddy, outgoing MLC and chairman of Farmer Coordination Committee, and Prof Kodandaram president, Telangana Jana Samiti who are sweating it out and influential among their constituents at grass root level.
In the changed political scenario, the three political parties are leaving no stone unturned with their top leaders canvassing for their respective party candidates and candidates themselves actively meeting people and explaining their party agenda.
Whatever may be the outcome, this time, the House of Elders will get two more candidates who can contribute to meaningful deliberations.
Chief Ministers in undivided AP and Telangana Chief Minister were on record acknowledging the contribution of Legislative Council members for informed debates. #KhabarLive #hydnews
