Rumbling of discontent in the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is likely to dent the prospects of the party candidates in several constituencies in the elections to the State Legislative Assembly slated for December 7.
It all started a month ago when, immediately after dissolution of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, caretaker Chief Minister and TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao released a list of party’s candidates in 105 out of a total of 119 constituencies, leaving several aspirants in the State red-faced.
Many aspirants for the party ticket who did not figure in the list had remained a discontented lot and the threat of rebels looms large over the outcome of results at the hustings. The situation did not change significantly in various districts despite KCR, as Mr. Rao is popularly referred to, declaring that there would not be any changes in the list.
Some of those who did not figure in the list have also shifted loyalties. Among them was Konda Surekha, who has a good support-base in Warangal district in north Telangana. The former Minister and a four-time MLA, along with her husband, an MLC, joined the Congress
The rebel aspect became a stumbling block in various constituencies even though the TRS had gained a strategic advantage over its opponents, by declaring the list of the candidates, and kick-started its election campaign much ahead of other political parties in the State.
Efforts to pacify the disgruntled elements by the TRS had been only partially successful so far. In the erstwhile Adilabad district, the dissidence in the party which erupted in Chennur, Boath and Nirmal constituencies is stated to have almost subsided with the intervention of KCR’s son K. T. Rama Rao, who is IT and Municipal Minister in the caretaker Cabinet.
However, in the integrated Karimnagar district, the threat of dissidence activity continues in six out of the 13 constituencies. Similar is the case in Warangal district where TRS is facing an uphill task in cajoling the sulking leaders of the party.
For instance, in Bupalpally Assembly constituency in the district , Gandra Satyanarayana Rao, who joined TRS from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), has declared that he would contest as an independent candidate and has started campaigning in villages. He claims that he was invited into TRS with a promise of an Assembly ticket.
Even in KCR’s native Medak district, TRS is facing discontent in five of the 10 constituencies including Sangareddy, Narayankhed, Pattancheru, Dubbak and Gajwel. In Nizamabad also, the TRS is beset with rebel problem in Balkonda constituency.
Of the 12 Assembly constituencies in the united Nalgonda district, except Nakrekal, Bhongir, Aler and Suryapet, incidents of dissatisfaction were many. A day after KCR released the list of 105 candidates, Huzurnagar sitting MLA threatened that she would commit suicide, if not given the ticket.
In the erstwhile undivided Khammam district, discontent in the party in the Wyra and Sattupalli constituencies refuses to die down. The TRS leadership has placated some disgruntled ticket aspirants, who had openly aired their objections over the choice of the party’s candidates for Madhira, Yellandu and Pinapaka constituencies, last month.
Upset over denial of party ticket, former Yellandu MLA Uke Abbaiah, and Madhira-based doctor Kota Rambabu quit the ruling party last fortnight. #KhabarLive