Congress leaves no stone unturned to regain territory

Narayankhed: This Assembly constituency has been known to be a stronghold for Congress party. Members from Shetkar and Kishtareddy families from Congress party have been strong politics here. In spite of 2014 elections in which TRS made waves, it could not stop Congress party from winning.

Kishtareddy won the mandate by more than 14, 000 votes against TRS candidate Bhupal Reddy. But the very next year, in 2015, Kishtareddy passed away and byelection was conducted in 2016. Kishtareddy’s elder son Sanjeeva Reddy contested on behalf of Congress Party. Ruling TRS party took this as a prestige issue. Minister Harish Rao swung into action and toured vigorously and attracted leaders, activists from other parties to join TRS. His efforts and strategies helped TRS candidate to win over Sanjeeva Reddy.

He has been saying that internal disputes of the party damaged his chances of win. Even though he is very active in the constituency and always seen in the public. He was complemented by party’s national chief Rajiv Gandhi for making the constituency at fourth place in registrations of ShaktiApp. He is seeking party ticket this time too. However, former MP of Zaheerabad Suresh Shetkar is also trying to get the party ticket. He was also an MLA once. He is insisting the party’s high command for a ticket as Kishtareddy family contested twice. Party sources feel that unless these two groups work together, chances of winning are far from reality.

Earlier, the latest ex MLA MLA Bhupal Reddy from TRS Party was a TDP legislator. His brother Vijaypal Reddy was also MLA during 1994 to 1999. Bhupal Reddy joined TRS Party in 2006 and first time he contested in 2009 elections but lost his deposit. Kishta Reddy from Congress won the mandate.
During the separate Telangana agitation, the then constituency in charge of TRS party Bhupal Reddy actively involved in the public issues and strengthened the cadre.Even though, he lost to Kishtareddy again in 2014 elections, after formation of Telangana state. After winning the byelection in 2016 due to the death of Kistareddy, he tried to strengthen his base in the constituency. He took up several development works with Harish Rao. But, he could not satisfy the second rung leaders of the party.

The dissent leaders lead by MLC Ramulu Naik have been pressurising the high command to declare another candidate for this election. Other leaders former market committee chairman Bidekanni Hanmantu, ex sarpanch Apparao Shetkar, medak district shepherd’s union president Malshetty Yadav, advocate Kishan Rao,Kishtaih Master and others are strongly opposing the leadership of Bhupal Reddy. They went to the extent of warning that they will field an independent candidate, if the name of Bhupal Reddy was not withdrawn.

The effect of Telugu Desam Party gradually diminished in Narayankhed Constituency. In 1983, in the wave of TDP, Venkat Reddy was elected as MLA. Earlier also he won as MLA in 1972 as independent candidate. In 1994, Vijaypal Reddy, son of Venkat Reddy won but lost in 1999. In 2004, Vijaypal Reddy was defeated by Congress Party Candidate Suresh Kumar Shetkar with small margin. In 2006, Vijaypal Reddy’s Brother Bhupal Reddy joined TRS Party and contested in 2009 as a TRS Party candidate as part of alliance between TDP,TRS and left parties. Vijaypal Reddy contested from Prajarajyam Party and stood in the second position. In 2014 elections he contested from TDP and got more than 40,000 votes and placed in third position.

In 2016 bypolls due to the death of Kishta Reddy, Vijaypal Reddy contested from TDP and lost his deposit.Now,he is strongly trying for a ticket from MahaKutami, the grand alliance. He has strong cadre and followers in the constituency. If he succeeds in getting ticket, chances of winning are very. BJP does not have much of a following in Narayankhed Constituency. In 2009 Amar Singh contested from the party, and lost his deposit. In 2014 and 2016 elections also BJP formed alliance with TDP and contested in elections.Now the BJP convener of the constituency Sairam is working hard for strengthening the party. If sources are to be believed, he lacks support from local leader and BJP district vice president Dr K Venkatesham. Many other leaders like Rama Goud, Apparao Shetkar and others are trying to join BJP and contest from the constituency.

TJS Party, BLF and left parties may not sound much in the constituency. These parties have neither popular face for contesting nor strong cadre to mobilise votes. Narayankhed was a part of Karnataka. When the first linguistic state was formed, it was merged with Andhra Pradesh. As the area shares the borders with Karnataka and Maharashtra, people here can speak Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Hindi. Lingayats, Marathas, STs, Mudiraj and minorities occupy major population in the constituency. Most of the people depend on agriculture as a source of employment and are dependent on rainfall. They cultivate cotton and cereals. In the Manjeera River catchment areas, people cultivate sugarcane. This area is one of the backward areas in Sangareddy district.