Congress to adopt special poll strategy for Greater Hyderabad

Hyderabad : Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress party would adopt a special strategy for Greater Hyderabad in next elections.

In an informal chit chat with media persons at Gandhi Bhavan on Wednesday, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress party was considering giving tickets to candidates of Seemandhra origin. He said people hailing from Andhra and Rayalaseema live in large numbers in several areas of Greater Hyderabad. Therefore, he said that the Congress party might give tickets to people of Seemandhra origin to win those seats. He said people of Seemandhra were angry towards Congress party due to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. However, he said that the same anger no more prevails and this time people are angry with BJP for denial of Special Category Status to AP. He said that the pockets which were once considered as TDP's strong vote bank might shift to Congress party in next elections.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress party would also sweep the elections in North Telangana. He said that the party would win all seats in Mahabubnagar, Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda districts. He said that the party was yet to take a decision with regard to poll alliances and only the High Command would decide about it at an appropriate time.

The TPCC chief also announced that the Congress would field strong candidates against the MIM in Old City. He said people have realised that MIM and BJP were secret allies and both are helping each other.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that top leaders from different political parties were all set to join the Congress party and they would do so on different occasions. He said several leaders who had quit Congress to join the TRS have been trying to return to the party fold. However, he said a decision on their 'ghar wapasi' is yet to be taken.

The TPCC chief said that the winnability of candidates was being given priority than personalities. He said he had announced the names of a few candidates in constituencies where there are no other contenders. He also admitted that there difference of opinion among Congress leaders. However, he said all are working unitedly to ensure party's victory in next elections.

Uttam Kumar Reddy also clarified that Congress president Rahul Gandhi never announced that leaders above 70 years would not be given party posts. However, he said Rahul Gandhi was in favour of giving more opportunities to youth. Further, he said that the Congress president proposed that DCC presidents should not contest elections.

TRS leaders from Warangal join Congress

Later in the evening, TRS leader from Warangal A. Vidyasagar, along with his hundreds of supporters, joined the Congress party in the presence of Warangal DCC president Nayani Rajender Reddy.

Uttam Kumar Reddy welcomed Vidyasagar and other TRS workers in Congress party and assured them that they would be given due recognition and importance in the party.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that the TRS Government was cheating the BCs in the State. He said that TRS Government had promised to spend Rs. 25,000 crore on BC welfare. However, it did not spend even the allocated budget for the community. Further, he said that BC Sub-Plan was not introduced despite several assurances given by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. He said that the government should enhance the quota for BC A, B, C and D categories in proportionate to their population.

Vidyasagar had contested as TRS candidates in 2009 elections.

Congress leaders pay tributes to Mahatma Jyotirao Phule

Earlier in the day, Congress leaders paid rich tributes to Mahatma Jyotirao Phule on his 191st birth anniversary. Uttam Kumar Reddy, AICC Telangana Incharge Secretary R.C. Khuntia, CLP leader K. Jana Reddy and other leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Phule at a function organised by former PCC President V. Hanumantha Rao in Amberpet.