Much like its metamorphosis from a semi-urban to highly urbanised outback of the State Capital, Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency is turning out to be a hot favourite for aspiring Parliamentarians from Congress, Telugu Desam, YSRC and TRS.
The constituency with seven Assembly segments -- Medchal, Secunderabad Cantonment (SC), Malkajgiri, Qutbullapur, Kukatpalli, Uppal and L.B. Nagar -- is being eyed not only because it has a large chunk of middle class population from other regions of the State, a rough estimate putting it at about 70 percent, but its fairly cosmopolitan outlook.
If Congress, Telugu Desam and YSRC are looking at this large section of migrants, TRS appears to be banking on the natives. The Telangana party’s calculation is that it could cash in on this committed vote bank while the other parties would have to fight for the vote share of the migrant population, if they continue to dilly- dally on Telangana issue.
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Some of the ticket aspirants such as A. Revanth Reddy of Telugu Desam have already started nurturing the constituency even while lobbying with the party president N. Chandrababu Naidu. Mr. Reddy, who now represents Kodangal, plans to leave this Assembly segment in Mahabubnagar district to his brother and switch over to Malkajgiri parliamentary constituency and try his luck.
An ambitious politician, he also made his mark as MLC before winning in Assembly elections in 2009. Besides the traditional vote bank of the party, he is also banking on the way Mr. Naidu appears to have managed to win back the hearts of the middle classes as an able administrator. Another TDP MLA from Medak, M. Hanumantha Rao, who is a native of Alwal, too is keen on throwing his hat in the ring, again citing the same reasons.
In Congress camp too there are many who are waiting in the wings, though the sitting MP and Union Minister, Sarvey Satyanarayana is unlikely to shift, having a strong base in the constituency.
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Prominent among those who are in the race is Karthik Reddy, son of the Home Minister, P. Sabitha Indra Reddy. The young leader has already made forays into the constituency, although mired in controversy.
Not to be left behind, YSRC leaders like J. Pratap, vice-chairman of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board have also lined up. As elections come closer, Malkajgiri may not only turn out to be one of the most sought after Lok Sabha constituency but could witness a keen battle.