Raja Singh battles Cong, TRS candidates in Goshamahal constituency

Hyderabad: A firebrand BJP leader seeking a second term, candidates of the ruling TRS and Congress putting up a spirited challenge and a transgender bursting into the poll fray Goshamahal constituency in the city is truly witnessing an action-packed campaign like never before. But BJP's T Raja Singh Lodh, knowns in many quarters for his "inflammatory" speeches, said his party supporters, along with development works undertaken in the segment, would see him through in the December seven Assembly polls.

Singh, who faces over 40 cases, mostly for "hate speeches," had defeated senior Congress leader and former Minister M Mukesh Goud in the 2014 Assembly polls by an impressive margin of over 45,000 votes.

Raja Singh is again challenged by Mukesh Goud, along with former legislator Prem Singh Rathore of TRS and Chandramukhi M, a transgender contesting on a CPM-led Bahujan Left front or BLF ticket.

Raja Singh said, "the voters have already decided 100 per cent that they will vote for BJP."

When asked why he always speaks of Hindutva agenda, Singh says "Yes... if Akbaruddin Owaisi (AIMIM leader) speaks against Hindu Samaj then I speak only in his language to reply to his speeches.

I am only against MIM not against Muslims."

"... if anyone has any doubts and say no development work has happened in Goshamahal Constituency during my MLA tenure.. I challenge them and they can see the documents (of developmental works)," Singh said.

"In the last four-and-half-years, houses, proper roads and drainages have been built, streetlights in every locality under Goshamahal has been provided and sports complexes have been constructed," he claimed.

If elected to power, Raja Singh said the BJP would "aim" to rename Hyderabad and other cities in the state after the names of great people.

"I am dedicated to serve the people and I am accessible 24 hours to the Goshamahal people", he said.

Mukesh Goud and Rathore, on the other hand, also expressed confidence about their victory.

Rubbishing the claims on development works by Raja Singh Goud said, "you see the works I did (during his previous stint as a legislator and as a minister) and evaluate."

"No one did the works, it is only under me developmental works have happened be it drinking water tanks, community halls, drainage lines.

People know this and support me as there is no development in the last four-and-half years," Goud said adding "there is no competition for me I feel.

(After Congress comes to power) We will implement the promises made in the manifesto in Goshamahal constituency at the earliest, he added.

Noting that he built community halls, schools, houses, took up road widening works, borewells in the constituency, Rathore said, "I stayed with the people every time, whenever they needed."

TRS chief and caretaker Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao is taking all sections of the society together and has been doing developmental works.

The public is aware on the works TRS government did.

They love KCR and I am fully confident all people will vote me," said Rathore, who is also the chairman of Musi River Front Development Corporation.

Chandramukhi said, "the government never speaks of welfare schemes for transgenders. We have several problems and my contesting will provide a platform...

I have come not to make money like others. I promise to work for all and appeal the public to give me a chance".

"Nowadays, power is enjoyed only by a few sections. I want to change that," the transgender said.

"If elected, I will focus on the problem of child labour, which is prevalent in the constituency, and also ensure that housing scheme for the poor is properly implemented."

Some voters feel that the 2018 elections appear to be a tough battle for all the BJP, Congress and TRS candidates.

Some said they would vote for BJP as it would be good to take on MIM and added, "BJP is at the Centre, and there is a need to bring the party in Telangana, also it will be good for people.

We will support Raja Singh and definitely he will win".

Though he speaks about Hinduism and "unnecessarily" cases are filed against him, Raja Singh has done many developmental works, they said.

Another group of people said Rathore would win this time.

"KCR is working on 12 per cent reservations for minorities and we want development," they said.

While other voters said Mukesh Goud during his tenure as an MLA and Minister did good work in their constituency.