Neck-and-neck contest in Mulugu

Mulugu (Bhupalpally): The emergence of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) as a major political force in the united Andhra Pradesh has had its impact in Mulugu constituency. Since 1983, the TDP has won Mulugu seat four times while the Congress thrice and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) once.

Although there are 12 candidates in the fray, it’s going to be a triangular contest between Azmeera Chandulal of the TRS, Danasari Anasuya alias Seethakka of the Congress and Banoth Devilal of the BJP. Incidentally, all of them are natives of neighbouring villages under Mulugu mandal.

Even though the Adivasi-Lambada conflict is at its heights in major part of the erstwhile Adilabad district, its impact in Jayashankar-Bhupalpally, a predominantly tribal populated district, is minimal.

The rift could well be a favourable factor for Seethakka, who belongs to Adivasi sect in Mulugu constituency. It may be mentioned here that both TRS and the BJP candidates are Lambadas. The population of Adivasis is said to be 15,000 more than that of Lambadas in the constituency.

Seethakka, a former Maoist, who fought for the cause of Adivasis, began her political life with the Telugu Desam in 2004. Although Seethakka lost election in that year, she came back strongly to win in 2009. Seethakka, who lost 2014 election, switched over to Congress last year along with A Revanth Reddy. Initially, she faced a stiff resistance from Podem Veeraiah to get the ticket.

However, Veeraiah was given ticket from Bhadrachalam. Importantly, the Congress leadership was able to establish truce between Seethakka and Veeraiah. It’s learnt that Seethakka is doing her bit to help Veeraiah win the election from Bhadrachalam where she has a considerable support among the Adivasis.

On the other hand, three-time MLA Chandulal contesting on TRS ticket for the second time banked on development. Even though Chandulal claims that the government had sanctioned 1,400 double bedroom houses of which around 1,000 have been handed over to the beneficiaries, he is facing the ire of the applicants who are yet to get houses. This apart, one of the major promises – bus depot in Mulugu – is yet to be fulfilled.

BJP candidate Banoth Devilal, a retired government employee, began his political career in 2008 by joining the Praja Rajyam Party floated by the actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi. With the PRP opposing the separate Telangana, he switched over to TDP and worked with Seethakka. Later, he joined the BJP.

It’s touted in the political circles that Seethakka who has mass appeal among the tribals has edge over other candidates as she is backed by Praja Kutami which also has the support of TDP, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) and the CPI, in addition to the anti-incumbency factor the TRS has to contend with.