The TDP-BJP alliance in this election may give former Minister and Congress MLA M. Mukesh Goud a run for his money in the upcoming electoral battle for the Goshamahal Assembly constituency.
Both the alliance partners feel that joining hands will reduce the chances of Mr. Goud winning again, as the BJP and TDP candidates secured more than 28 and 16 per cent votes respectively in the 2009 elections, while the then incumbent secured more than 45 per cent votes.
Comparatively new, the Goshamahal constituency came into existence in the last elections after de-limitation. The area comprises eight divisions including Dhoolpet, Sultan Bazar, Begum Bazar, Mangal Hat, Jam Bagh and other areas.
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With a mix of voters from different communities, including those from the business class, which comprises a major chunk of the vote bank, it may be a tough battle for Mr. Goud, especially battling BJP candidate T. Raja Singh, currently the Mangalhat corporator.
“In the last 10 years, there has been no development in the constituency. There are a lot of civic issues like water and drainage problems. With the alliance, we will win with a margin of 50,000 votes,” said Mr. Singh. He alleged that the present MLA had overestimated spending on developmental activities to the tune of Rs.300 crore in the last 10 years on his website. “Our RTI query shows it was only 24 crore during the period,” he claimed.
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With 2,86,418 voters, which include 29,135 enrolments after January this year, the constituency has more than 1.4 lakh male and 1.3 lakh female voters. “Apart from ensuring that basic civic amenities like street lights, water, and others, we also want a proper security apparatus installed in Begum Bazar, as the area had been recced by terrorists in the past,” said Ghanshyam Bhati, a TDP leader and a trader from Begum Bazar.
Mr. Goud’s son and campaign in-charge, M. Vikram Goud, however, was confident about his father’s victory. “He has been here for more than three decades, and Goshamahal is a place where the party doesn’t play a major role. People here recognise my father,” mentioned the 31-year-old. He was sure his father would trump his contenders by more than 35,000 votes and added that the TDP-BJP alliance would not be a problem.