BJP confident of faring well

Warangal: Its decent track record in the erstwhile Warangal district suggests that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Contrary to the people’s backing albeit in bits and pieces, the saffron party failed to build up its cadre base in the district as one would have desired.

Alliance with regional parties and conceding more space to them has invariably affected the growth of the party. However, a new breed of leaders like Rao Padma Reddy, the Warangal Urban District President, has infused life into the BJP’s electoral campaigning.

In a male-dominated political system, where family, caste and religion matter more, it is not all that easy for women to establish themselves as leaders, but Rao Padma did it with élan. She joined the separate State Movement in 2005 and worked with the TRS. She worked as women’s wing president of Warangal district up to 2012. Later, she joined the BJP and worked as State secretary from 2013 to 2016.

Even though Rao Padma tried hard for the ticket of Warangal West constituency in 2014 elections, the party asked her to contest from Warangal East seat. Eventually, both Padma and Dharmarao Marthineni who contested from Warangal West had lost the election to TRS nominees – Konda Surekha and Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar.

Against this backdrop, Padma fought her way to become BJP’s president of Warangal Urban district in the party’s internal elections, this despite a strong opposition from the senior leaders.

Since then she has been working hard to project herself as the only possible candidate for the Warangal West seat. Although the party is yet to announce tickets for the upcoming elections, it’s learnt that she was assured of ticket by the party functionaries in Hyderabad. Against this backdrop, The Hans India spoke to Padma to know about the party’s prospects in the ensuing elections.

How do you see BJP’s prospects in the erstwhile district, especially in Warangal West constituency?
The people are witnessing effectiveness of Narendra Modi government and economic development. People’s patronage to BJP dates back to 1980s. Chandupatla Janga Reddy defeated the Congress stalwart P V Narasimha Rao in 1984. This apart, the party also won Parkal thrice, Wardhannapet twice and Sayampet twice, and once from Hanamkonda Assembly constituencies in the past (Hanamkonda and Sayampet do not exist after the 2008 delimitation). The party also held the post of Warangal Mayor once.

You seem to be the frontrunner along with M Dharma Rao for the Warangal West ticket and what are your chances?
Based in the constituency, I extensively covered all the divisions in the Corporation and other villages. The proximity I maintained with the locals is my strength. Moreover, people in the constituency wants a change as they had come to a conclusion that sitting MLA D Vinay Bhaskar had done nothing for them.

What is the reason behind your confidence?
The election scenario in the State is different when compared to 2009 and 2014. BJP has a proven record since Amit Shah took over the reins of the party. My clean image and my workmanship give me edge over TRS candidate.

What about your family’s support?
My husband Amarender Reddy worked in Telangana Movement and later parted ways with the TRS. I have all the support and freedom from my family.