Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao had to commission a helicopter to file his nomination papers from Karimnagar parliamentary constituency in the 2004 elections as time was running out. Despite the last minute delay, the TRS chief soared to victory. Mr. Rao went on to win in 2006 and 2008 too by ‘forcing’ by-elections on the Telangana statehood issue.
And in this election, TRS district leaders say that Mr. Rao is contemplating contesting from Karimnagar parliamentary constituency.
A senior leader who does not want to be quoted said: Karimnagar is a sentimental place for Mr. Rao as he launched the TRS from here. In 2009 when he decided to launch his fast-unto-death for Telangana in Siddipet, he was arrested on his way to the agitation camp in Karimnagar.
Party leaders say the TRS president is likely to enter the fray from here with a new slogan of - Bangaru Telangana - to ensure all-round development of the district, cashing in on availability of Godavari waters, Singareni coal and manpower. Mr. Rao had been planning to field himself from Medak LS seat. Mr. Rao launched his first public meeting ‘Simha Garjana’ after launching the party in May 2001 in Karimnagar.
If Mr. Rao enters the fray from here, Karimnagar contest is likely to emerge as a prestigious one. Though several parties are likely to be in the fray, the main fight is likely between the TRS and Congress. Sitting Congress MP Ponnam Prabhakar, who won on BC card in the last elections, is trying his luck for the second time.
Mr. Prabhakar is banking upon easy access to voters in the segment and also claims to have solved several grievances of the public. He feels his work for the development of the segment will stand him in good stead.
“Though Mr. Prabhakar strove hard in the separate statehood movement, he has failed to check corruption in the constituency,” alleges Karimnagar Consumers’ Council leader N. Srinivas.
Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, P. Muralidhar Rao and Ch. Janga Reddy are in the reckoning for the BJP ticket.
Issues of long-pending APGenco’s gas-based power project in Nedunuru village, Hyderabad-Karimnagar railway line, Gulf immigrants and weavers’ problems and non-completion of SRSP flood flow canal, pending mid-Manair dam and Gouravelli reservoir works are likely to dominate during the electioneering.
