Amberpet: Constituency profile

Tough fight for Kishan Reddy

Amberpet will see BJP state president Kishan Reddy and senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao in a tough contest. There are 2,45,532 voters in the constituency of which 1,29,839 are men, 1,15,664 are women and 29 belong to the other category. There is a considerable chunk of minority presence in Amberpet and Kacheguda areas. While educated upper middle class voters live in Bagh Amberpet, Nallakunta and Barkatpura, the lower middle class and slum population have made Amberpet and Kacheguda localities their home. The Musi River flows through the length and breadth of the constituency.

The constituency was formed after delimitation in 2009 with six municipal divisions of Amberpet, Bagh Amberpet, Barkatpura, Kacheguda, Tilaknagar and Nallakunta. It was carved out from Himayatnagar constituency under delimitation in 2009. The Amberpet constituency forms a major portion of the core area in the city. Other areas under the constituency include New Nallakunta, Vidyanagar Extension, Golnaka, Sanjeeviah Nagar, Nimboliadda, Lingampally and Barkatpura. BJP’s state president G Kishan Reddy is the sitting MLA.

Incumbent Kishan Reddy is looking to clinch the seat again and he is counting on the Modi wave. Though he won by nearly 23 per cent vote margin in the last polls, analysts believe that it is difficult for him this time round. The constituency has nearly 30 per cent of BC voters, who had voted for Kishan Reddy last time, as there was no BC leader in the fray.

However, with senior leader V Hanumantha Rao (Congress) in fray, the strong BC contingent is likely to go with him. However, Kishan Reddy cannot be completely counted out. He is riding on Modi wave which is strong in twin cities and also ‘T’ sentiment which the local voters would vote for. Added to these he is a strong leader and has a good following in the constituency, particularly among the middle class.

For veteran Congress leader Hanumantha Rao, it is his home turf. He is likely to sway the votes of BCs and squatters. He is also banking on the ‘T’-sentiment as nearly 90 per cent of the voters are locals along with minorities. But, the ‘T’ sentiment votes will be shared by all the three contestants i.e. the TRS, the BJP and the Congress; this division of votes will likely to work against Hanumantha Rao.

Though, the MIM severed ties with the Congress, reports suggest that Hanumantha Rao has made a tacit understanding with the party. And, Muslim minority votes are likely to go with him.

The TRS has fielded A Sudhakar Reddy, a candidate from the upper caste and certainly cannot sway BC voters much to the advantage of the Congress. Lack of cadre too hurts the TRS. But, it is banking on the ‘T’-sentiment.

Despite his young age and popularity Kishan Reddy has to pull a rabbit out of his hat to save his seat.