Rebels causing jitters

Warangal: Rebel trouble to haunt both the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the People’s Front (Mahakutami) candidates in the 12 constituencies of the erstwhile Warangal district that go to poll on December 7.

Even though there was an immense competition in all major parties for almost all the seats, the nominees of Congress and its allies are set to face a tough time in the ensuing elections.

Thanks to the rebels and as well as grumbling voices within their respective parties. It may be mentioned here that Warangal East seat has become a bone of contention right from the day one after the ruling TRS denied ticket to its sitting MLA Konda Surekha. Since then, there has been a huge competition for this ticket. 

The TRS waited till the end to announce its candidate N Narender. The Mahakutami also delayed announcing its candidate. Although the seat was allotted to Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) ’s Gade Innaiah, the Congress also fielded Vaddiraj Ravichandra as its candidate. Even though the Kutami terms it as friendly contest, it’s not going to help either the Congress or the TJS.

As if this was not enough, the former SAAP Director and senior Congress leader Rajanala Srihari became a rebel and had already filed his nomination papers for the Warangal East constituency. Rajanala Srihari, who has been with the party for about three decades, is an affable person and well known in the core part of the Warangal city.

If the Congress fails to convince Rajanala Srihari, who is already going hammer and tongs against party leadership, it’s going to be tough for Vaddiraj Ravichandra. It may be mentioned here that even though Ravichandra hails from erstwhile Warangal district, he is a well-known industrialist, settled in Khammam.

On the other hand, the TRS nominee N Narender is also facing a strong dissidence from within the party leaders. Warangal Urban Co-operative Bank Chairman and senior TRS leader Errabelly Pradeep Rao, who also tried tooth and nail for Warangal East ticket, has filed his papers. He is contesting on All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) ticket.

It may be mentioned here that Pradeep Rao is the brother of Palakurthy TRS candidate Errabelly Dayakar Rao. It’s said that Pradeep Rao’s presence in the fray is certainly to hurt the chances of TRS nominee Narender.

From Warangal West constituency, DCC President Naini Rajender Reddy remained in the contest as an independent. It’s learnt that the Congress leadership is trying to woo him to withdraw from the poll fray. It may be noted here that withdrawal of nominations ends at 3 pm on November 22.