Putting up a united face against the ruling TRS, the State leaders of Opposition parties – Congress, TDP and YSR Congress – conducted a whirlwind campaign in Nelakondapally mandal on Wednesday to drum up support for TDP and YSRC-backed Congress candidate R. Sucharita Reddy for May 16 bypoll Palair seat.
TPCC working president Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Telangana TDP working president A. Revanth Reddy, TDP polit bureau member Nama Nageswara Rao, YSRC State secretary K. Raghava Reddy and others spearheaded a joint campaign in Palair Assembly constituency on Wednesday.
Addressing a roadside meeting at Cheruvumadharam, Mr. Vikramarka slammed the TRS accusing it of violating all democratic traditions by engineering defections from Opposition parties to serve its narrow political interests.
“The power-hungry TRS has fielded Minister for Roads and Buildings T. Nageswara Rao against Congress candidate Sucharita Reddy, the widow of former Minister R. Venkat Reddy, the sitting Congress MLA who relentlessly strived for the development of Palair constituency till his last breath, he said.
He also alleged that the TRS has deployed a number of Ministers, MPs and MLAs in Palair constituency to influence voters and win the bypoll by hook or by crook.
He further accused the ruling party of unleashing money and muscle power to wrest the seat through unethical means.
The voters of Palair constituency should thwart the “evil designs” of the ruling party, out-rightly reject its candidate and elect Ms. Sucharita to pay a real tribute to late Venkat Reddy, he said.
‘Teach a befitting lesson’
Mr. Nama Nageswara Rao has urged the voters to make the TRS party bite the dust in the Palair bypoll to teach a befitting lesson to the “opportunistic forces” for making a “mockery” of democracy.
The TDP has extended its support to Ms. Sucharita in accordance with the long-standing tradition of making the family members of the deceased sitting MLAs win unopposed, he noted.
‘Breaching established traditions’
Mr. Revanth lashed out at the TRS charging it with breaching all established traditions in democracy to cling on to power and serve its narrow political machinations.
“The electors of Palair constituency should rise to the occasion to strengthen the voice of the Opposition to take on the autocratic regime in the State and safeguard democracy,” he said.
YSRC leaders, including Raghava Reddy, TDP district president T. Brahmaiah and others spoke.
