Mahakutami hits roadblock in Telangana

​Hyderabad: Even though Telangana Assembly elections are fast approaching, the TDP is in a bind over seat sharing with Mahakutami partner Congress. The stand-off over seat sharing is delaying the process of finalisation of candidates and kick-starting election campaign by both the parties. The Telugu Desam Party’s demand to leave the assembly seats, where Congress is strong, to the TDP has become a major stumbling block to resolve the issue.

TPCC president N Uttam Kumar Reddy is reluctant to give up Kodada Assembly seat as his wife N Padmavathi Reddy was the sitting MLA there. TDP leader B Mallayya Yadav wants to contest from Kodada as he claims Telugu Dream is strong enough to win the seat. In 2014, he lost to Padamavathi. Leaders said Yadav has already approached TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu and is pursuing the issue with Uttam Kumar Reddy directly. He is confident of winning elections this time since he has strong support from BC sections.

The continuing deadlock over Wanaparthy has strained relations between the two parties. The sitting Congress MLA G Chinna Reddy has made it clear that he will contest from there but the TDP wants to field senior leader Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy who has already built his own cadre in the segment. TDP leaders said that Chandrasekhar Reddy is desperate to enter the Assembly from Wanaparthy.

Narasampet MLA D Madhava Reddy has already threatened to quit Congress if the seat is given to TDP. Reddy won as independent MLA and later joined Congress. TDP senior leader R Prakash Reddy has already taken up poll campaign as Mahakutami candidate.

In Serilingampally, former MLA and Congress leader K Srisilam Goud threw the hat in the ring. Earlier, he announced to quit Congress, if the seat is given to the TDP. After obtaining assurance that he would be allotted party ticket, Goud has calmed down. But in TDP, more than three candidates are vying for the ticket.

Since the constituency is dominated by Seemandhra voters, noted industrialist M Venkateswarlu is lobbying the TDP ticket. In LB Nagar assembly segment, TDP leader R Krishnaiah has locked horns with Congress leader D Sudhir Reddy to contest as Mahakutami candidate. Congress in-charge for Uppal assembly seat Laxma Reddy already has quit the party after receiving clear indication that TDP senior leader T Devendar Goud's son Veerendar Goud's name is finalised as grand alliance candidate.

Leaders said that the assembly seats where the TDP and Congress leaders are competing for tickets are Devarakadra, Husnabad, Jubilee Hills, Khairatabad and other constituencies. In all, TDP is demanding 25 seats but Congress is ready to allot 15 assembly segments to the Mahakutami partner. Sources said that the allotment of assembly segments to TDP will not be finalised unless there is consensus evolved between the ticket aspirants in the two parties.