Rebels may queer pitch for TRS party

The broad outline for the ensuing Assembly election has been worked out and the TRS party has declared its sitting MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy as its candidate but in the process, the pink party has ruffled many a feather. Four prominent party workers, Gali Anil Kumar, M Satnadev, J Ramulu and K Bal Reddy shifted loyalties to the Congress and are lobbying for a ticket. They want the Congress party to give any one of them a ticket and insist that they have the backing of the people and would ensure victory.

Similarly, the senior leaders in the Congress too are campaigning and want a ticket to be given to them on the basis that they have been serving the party for long. Patancheru, in short is now in the throes of lobbying and the second group comprising veterans such as M Shankar Yadav, present corporator, Katte Srinivas, Shashikala Yadav Reddy, Godavari Anji Reddy, Basheti Ashok together do not mind if anyone is given the ticket but not to the younger lot who joined the party recently.

As far as the saffron party is concerned, the candidates are in a state of confusion. T Nandeshwar Goud, who is in the BJP is trying his luck in all parties and in a latest development, ex-MLA K Satyanarayana joined the TRS. Speaking to The Hans India he said, “I have no issues with the BJP but the cadre in Patancheru lacks the will to work. Also, I have been targeted.”

TRS has already declared its sitting MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy as its candidate. Sapandev, who contested from TDP in the earlier elections shifted loyalties to TRS. However, the uncertainty over Grand Alliance’s candidate still remains. With the early announcement of candidates, TRS party seems to be zooming ahead of other parties in election campaigning. Apart from the TRS candidate himself, other senior leaders of the party like Kotha Prabhakar, Medak MP, and Bhoopathi Reddy, MLC, have already been campaigning vigorously in the constituency for the party’s victory.

The TJS and the Bahajuna Left Party are still in search for a strong leader and both parties as of now are considered weak and do not seem to make an impression. Two leaders-Srikanth Goud and Yadla Ramesh from the TDP are frantically trying to get a ticket and as is the case in all other constituencies the compulsions of a mahakutami (Grand Alliance) has thrown all the partners in a tizzy. No one is sure who would get a ticket.

BY Abdul Basith