Poised for three-way battle

In the changed scenario after delimitation, the Cantonment gained on areas of Regimental Bazar, Marredpally and Kummaraguda. It lost out prominent areas like Malkajgiri which is a separate Assembly segment now besides parts of Alwal and Kapra.

Development works in the constituency have always been tricky because any activity need the consent of the Army from Pune. Many say that consent has always proved a hindrance for developmental works.

The major project in the past five years is the Krishna water supply to the SCB areas. They earlier used to get Manjeera water once a week. This is now replaced by Krishna water.

As far as problems in the area are concerned, roads are mostly battered and bruised; though storm water drains have been set up, the problem still continues.

The problem which is plaguing the people most in the constituency is the blockade of roads by the Army personnel. Though the High Court has stayed the decision, the issue is out for a long drawn battle. Experts claim that this issue will have an effect on the polls.

In 2007, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) had prepared an elaborate plan to widen eight main roads in consultation with JNTU-H. The proposal, however, ran into rough weather with the Army. Two roads -- Mahendra Hills to the MCEME via Military Hospital, and another 5-km stretch from Safilguda Railway Station to the Secunderabad Club via AOC Gate, were to be widened in the first phase. These two roads were chosen as very few civilian properties lie in the way. This apart, roads along Sikh Village, Tadbund, Bowenpally, Trimulgherry, Bapujinagar and Hashmathpet were also identified for widening. The constituency is seeing polls since 1957; Congress has won six times, TDP four times, Janata Party once and an independent won once. Marwaris, Gujarathis, Biharis, Malayalees, Bengalis and Tamilians form nearly 35 per cent of voters in the constituency and the party which will manage to swing the votes in their favour is likely to win.

Reportedly incumbent MLA Dr P Shankar Rao has asked the ticket for his daughter Sushmita and he is planning to contest elsewhere. There is strong anti-incumbency factor but Shankar Rao feels that ‘T’ wave will see his daughter through.

TDP is most likely to field G Sayanna. It should be noted that Sayanna was a hat-trick hero in the constituency. In 2009 polls, he lost to Shankar Rao by just 4,191 votes and is looking to make amends this time. He is banking on the developmental works done in his tenure.

TRS though has not finalised the candidate and is also looking to cash in on the T wave. SCB Board member J Pratap and P Venkata Rao are vying for a ticket from the YSRCP.