Kodangal tiger aims a hat-trick

​Kodangal: The 49-year-old Anumula Revanth Reddy took just 10 years to rise from a first time MLA in 2009 to the working president of Telangana TDP, and then to a similar position in 132-year-old Congress party recently. However, with Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) hell bent on defeating him in his constituency this time, he is now facing his biggest political test as he eyes third consecutive term as MLA from this border constituency. But, can TRS stop Revanth’s juggernaut in the high-staked battle is to yet to be seen?

Though the leader has sizable political clout and has support of youngsters in his constituency, the polls would not be a cakewalk for him as his rival from TRS, Patnam Narender Reddy, is the brother of caretaker transport minister P Mahender Reddy and a financially-strong candidate.

In 2014, Revanth, who contested on TDP ticket, defeated Gurunath Reddy of TRS with a margin of 14,614 votes. It is said that K Chandrashekar Rao specially picked up Narender Reddy, an MLC, to rein in Revanth in this election.

That way, it’s going to be a litmus test for the firebrand leader who is dubbed by many as Kodangal tiger. A victory will push him to centre stage in Telangana politics and enhance his image as the only political leader in Opposition camp who can effectively take on KCR and his family. However, a loss will certainly put brakes in his growing political career for now.

Though TRS and its poll management team would try every weapon in their political armoury to put Revanth on back foot, the two-time MLA is not so naive to not predict the TRS game plan. Revanth has midway cancelled his whirlwind, heli-hopping tour in support of People’s Front candidates across State and turned his attention to Kodangal when he sensed that his rivals turned hyperactive to corner him in his home turf. That was when he picked up a fight with ruling TRS by calling for protests and sit-ins on December 4, the day KCR was scheduled to address a massive public meeting in Kosgi, a key part of Kodangal constituency where Congress president Rahul Gandhi took part in a well-attended gathering a week earlier.

His close aides said it was a slip of tongue and Reddy was not really intended to create hurdles for TRS supremo. But that-slip-of-tongue moment might come to his rescue now as police administration had mishandled the entire situation and went to the extent of arresting him in a questionable manner. This blunder, which received national attention, attracted ire of Hyderabad High Court and generated sympathy that may put Revanth Reddy in comfortable position even if his rivals, as Revanth alleges, resort to using money and muscle power.

However, his archrival is no pushover though. Narender Reddy, though hailing from Gullurgudem in Shabad mandal of neighbouring Ranga Reddy district, has close relatives in this constituency. The advantage of being from ruling party will make his task easier. Furthermore, caretaker irrigation minister T Harish Rao, known for his poll management skills, has set his eyes on this seat as a part of pink party’s overall game plan to rein in key leaders from the Opposition camp. But excessive use of money power by ruling party may boomerang.
“People say crores of rupees have been recovered from TRS leaders here. Whose money is that? Doesn’t it belong to people?” a shop owner in Kodangal asks in disbelief.

Revanth’s supporters allege that TRS was ready to spend over Rs 100 crore to defeat their leader. Undaunted by the plans of TRS, Revanth Reddy told The Hans India that he would win hands down and get a majority of 30,000 votes. Whatever maybe rumours, claims and allegations, a tough battle is on the cards. And Kodangal has outshone Gajwel (KCR’s home turf) as keenly-watched contest in Telangana this time.