Voters in Bhupalpally constituency are spoilt for choice as TRS leader S. Madhusudhana Chary, Gandra Venkataramana Reddy of Congress, Ch. Keerthi Reddy of BJP and independent candidate Gandra Satyanarayana Rao are in the fray this time.
Though the tight contest is likely between the TRS and Congress, it is hard to underestimate Ms. Keerthi Reddy as she has gained popularity in the recent times with her vigorous campaign, while Mr. Satyaranayana Rao has vast support and public sympathy for being denied ticket from both TRS and TDP for decades.
Mr. Chary, Speaker in Telangana Legislative Assembly, is mainly banking on the promises that were fulfilled by his party. He made all efforts to ensure completion of double bedroom houses in the constituency, but could not do so. As Bhupalpally has sizeable tribal and SC population, people expected two main promises – double bedroom houses and three acres land to SCs and STs – to be fulfilled, but were disappointed on both counts.
Congress leader Mr. Venkataramana Reddy is clearly counting on the failures of the TRS government, apart from the promises made by his own party, particularly the ₹2 lakh crop loan waiver in one go, increased pension and stipend for unemployed youth. He took up a padayatra in the district much before the election schedule notification to connect with people.
Mr. Satyanarayana Rao, who was with TDP and later joined TRS as he was promised a ticket, left the latter too and filed nomination as an independent candidate. He has considerable support from people as he has constantly been in touch with them. He contested the last elections on BJP ticket and lost. As he was denied ticket by the TRS after joining the party, he enjoys public sympathy and hopes it would help him win the polls.
Ms. Keerthi Reddy of BJP, a first-timer, has been campaigning on the failures of the TRS government and the achievements of Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. She opines that as people have already given Mr. Madhusudhana Chary and Mr. Venakataramana Reddy a chance, they would want a change and would elect her this time.
