It is ‘Uttam versus KCR’ in Nalgonda

A seemingly straight fight could see a strong Communist resistance

Erragonda, Poratala Killa Nallagonda Jilla are names synonymous with Nalgonda district.

These monikers came from the Telangana People's Armed Struggle or TPAS (1946-1951) that Nalgonda was home for, and for the parties that won the most elections.

Congress Fort

Congress' Fort also is a nick name, as some State Congress leaders enjoy a prefix to their names: seven-time legislator K. Jana Reddy, four-time legislators N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Ramreddy Damodar Reddy, hail from here.

The Communist Party of India and the Congress party, both won the Nalgonda Lok Sabha seat six times each. The Telugu Desam Party twice and the CPI(M) once.

But the election to the 17th Lok Sabha here could possibly change the past, necessitating coining new names, relegating the old ones to history and nostalgia.

The straight contest between Congress' State chief and four-time legislator N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and TRS freshman Vemireddy Narsimha Reddy - both surprise picks for Nalgonda - may be the easiest one in the State, according to some observers.

A significant contest

But on the other, the contest very significant since the outcome may reassert the dominance of Telangana Rashtra Samithi, and one that decides the future of the Congress in the State.

"Party supremo K. Chandrasekhar Rao is not over-confident. Vemireddy does not speak much and cadres too would not identify him, but people will vote for Car and KCR. Uttam is not fighting Vemireddy, but KCR," pointed out a senior leader.

And Mr. Vemireddy who has been introduced to his own cadres and the media on March 23, was backed through extensive campaigns by TRS bigwigs, legislators and the cadre in the seven Assembly segments.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s preparation suggests a 'silent operation', marked by campaigns touching interior villages, and its candidate Garlapati Jithendra Kumar, a businessman, meeting networks of potential voters.

Communist challenge

The lone woman contestant, Mallu Laxmi from CPI(M), has been a sarpanch and currently State secretary, All India Democratic Women's Association.

Besides being a visible leader, and as the daughter-in-law of veteran communist leaders Mallu Swarajyam and Mallu Venkata Narsimha Reddy, icons of TPAS, a massive Communist following in Nalgonda, Suryapet, Devarakonda and Miryalaguda segments is her forte.

The TRS has six of the seven Assembly segments, including Nagarjunasagar and Kodad. Only Huzurnagar is with Congress, and its incumbent is Uttam Kumar Reddy.