Can Kondas turn the tables?

Parkal: The showdown at Parkal constituency is one of those highly alluring contests in the State with Konda Surekha, who recently switched over to the Congress after she was denied Warangal East ticket by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leadership, returning to her backyard. Even though there are 15 candidates in the election fray, it’s believed that the main contest will be among Konda Surekha, TRS’ Challa Dharma Reddy and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Pesaru Vijaychander Reddy.

Although Parkal region is the stronghold of Kondas, now they have to contend with sitting MLA Dharma Reddy, who won on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ticket in 2014 and later shifted his loyalties to the TRS. Surekha represented Parkal Assembly constituency in 2009. Then she was in Congress. Ahead of 2014 elections, she joined the TRS and successfully contested from Warangal East constituency.

In the changed political scenario, Kondas want to reestablish their supremacy not only in Parkal but also in Warangal East constituency from where their close associate Vaddiraj Ravichandra alias Gayatri Ravi is pitted against TRS’ Nannapuneni Narender. A lot is at stake for the Kondas to win both the seats so that to send a strong message to the TRS leadership as well as to their antagonists in Warangal.

While Dharma Reddy claims that he had developed the region with around Rs 1,500 crore, Konda Surekha says that there were no signs of development since she left the constituency. Although the TRS government performed Bhumi puja for Mega Textile Park in Geesukonda mandal, the facility is yet to get underway. Establishment of revenue division, vegetable market, mini tank bund and central lighting in Parkal town are some of the developmental activities taken place in the constituency, according to Dharma Reddy.

On the other hand, Dr Vijaychander Reddy, who worked as a medical officer for about three decades, is well known in the erstwhile Warangal district due to his social service, especially organising health camps for the poor. Vijaychander Reddy, who is the chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society’s Warangal Chapter, says, “Parkal will be turned into a model constituency if he was given an opportunity.” Parkal is one such a constituency that cannot be underestimated as far as BJP’s chances are concerned as the party has a strong presence since the days of Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Both Chandupatla Janga Reddy and Vonteru Jayapal were elected to the Assembly twice from the constituency.

Against this backdrop, all the three candidates are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters. While TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao and BJP National President Amit Shah have already campaigned  for their candidates, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Rahul Gandhi addressed a huge public meeting in neighbouring Bhupalpally constituency on Thursday.