Big names in the fray

Warangal: With the likes of Gandra Jyothy, wife of Bhupalpally MLA Venkata Ramana Reddy; Peddi Swapna, wife of Narsampet MLA Sudarshan Reddy; and Gadipally Premalatha Reddy, former Jangaon municipal chairperson; in the fray for zilla parishad territorial constituencies (ZPTCs), the second phase of Parishad polls on Friday is expected to witness interesting battles.

All these big names are in the race for zilla parishad chairperson posts. While Gandra Jyothy is contesting from Shayampet, Peddi Swapna is in the fray from Nallabelly, both eyeing ZP chief post of Warangal Rural

district. However, it's speculated that TRS leadership had already assured Gandra Jyothy of ZP chief post after her husband announced to join the ruling party.

On the other hand, Premalatha Reddy, who is contesting from Jangaon ZPTC as a TRS rebel, has a point to prove, especially to local MLA Muthireddy Yadagiri Reddy. It's alleged that the MLA had intentionally denied ruling party ticket to Premalatha Reddy, who is vying for Jangaon ZP chairperson post. In fact, she resigned from municipal chairperson post believing that she would make it to ZP chief post.

In all, polling will be held to 26 ZPTC seats and 240 MPTC seats spread across 26 mandals on Friday. While there are 128 candidates in the fray for 26 ZPTCs, a whopping 841 aspirants are in the race for

240 MPTCs.

In Warangal Urban district, elections to three ZPTCs - Dharmasagar, Inavole and Velair – and 32 MPTCs will be held. Warangal Rural Collector M Haritha said that arrangements are in place for second phase Parishad polls in Parkal, Nadikuda, Shayampet, Nallabelly, Khanapuram and Raiparthy mandals. A total 1,71,431 voters are expected to utilise their franchise.