TRS aims hat-trick of wins in Warangal

Warangal: With the schedule for the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) polls was out on Sunday, the election fever has begun to rise among the politicos rather than the people of Warangal who now witness the third election in as many months starting with the Lok Sabha bypoll in November and then for the lone Council seat from the Local Bodies Constituency.

Needless to say, while the TRS is riding high on crest of recent successes, the major Opposition parties - Congress, Telugu Desam and BJP appear to be jittery over their poll prospects albeit they put on a brave face saying that they are very much ready for the GWMC election.

Since passing through the ‘litmus test’ of Warangal Lok Sabha bypoll three months ago, the TRS added more feathers to its crown by ruling the roost in the Council, GHMC and Narayankhed Assembly polls. The manner in which the ruling party dominated these elections has not only dwarfed the Opposition parties but also made them think twice over their prospects in the GWMC polls scheduled for March 6.

The Congress sounds confident. So were Telugu Desam and the BJP. According to sources, while the BJP is not willing to continue its poll pact with the TDP, a senior TDP leader reportedly suggested not to enter the poll arena at all as the ruling party appears to be mowing down everything on its way. The party seems to be struggling after the departure of its mainstay and Floor Leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao.

“Although the party has shortlisted aspirants for the polls, it will be announced only after a meeting with the election in-charges TPCC Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and, Kisan and Kheth Mazdoor Congress chairman M Kodanda Reddy,” Congress district president Nayini Rajender Reddy told The Hans India.

The BJP coordination committee headed by Khairatabad MLA Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, who was appointed as the in-charge for GWMC polls, is expected to finalise the list of party candidates for all 58 divisions on Sunday. The meet will be attended by former MLA M Dharma Rao, former Mayor T Rajeshwar Rao, urban president Chintakula Sunil and others.

Chintakula Sunil said: “In all probability, there will be no tie-up with the TDP. We already made it clear to our state leadership including to the Minister for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya, who was in the city on Saturday en route to Medaram jatara.” Telugu Desam district president Gandra Satyanarayana Rao said: “We will abide by state leadership’s decision.

The cadre is raring to go into the election battle and we are least bothered about the leaders who deserted the party for vested interest.” Warangal West MLA D Vinay Bhaskar expressed confidence that party will do overwhelmingly well in the polls. “The development itself speaks volumes in favour of the TRS.” Meanwhile, the leaders, especially belonging to TRS, aspiring to contest in the GWMC polls have stepped their efforts to clinch their respective party tickets.