Hyderabad: The ruling TRS and the Congress are heading for a showdown in the race for the post of Legislative Council Chairman as nominees of both parties filed their papers making the contest inevitable and interesting on Wednesday.
TRS MLC Swami Goud, who is tipped to win the election in view of adequate support and Congress MLC Farooq Hussain filed nominations before Legislature Secretary, Dr Rajasadaram here on Tuesday.
The Congress, furious over defections of members to the TRS, issued a whip to party MLCs including those who joined the TRS to back Mr Farooq Hussain. Mr Goud’s fervent appeal to all political parties to support him and ensure an unanimous win was rejected by the Congress.
Congress’ strength has reduced to 10 MLCs after the defection of 7 MLCs while the TRS numbers have shot up to 17 following the two latest entrants Yadav Reddy and Nethi Vidyasagar, the current acting chairman of the Council. The TRS also has the backing of MIM.
While Mr Goud’s victory is a foregone conclusion, the contest and the defection of seven Congress MLCs, has increased the animosity between the TRS and the Congress. “We should all be united in the development of the new Telangana State. I am one of you,” said Mr Goud after filing his nomination papers.
The Congress nominee, Mr Farooq Hussain, also made a fervent appeal to all political parties to back him. “The Congress is going through turbulent times. All party MLCs including those who have joined the TRS should back the party at this juncture,” he remarked. Mr Hussain said he would visit every MLC’s home and seek their vote. “I just want to remind them that Chief Minister Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao and I worked together in the Congress. I seek his support too,” he added.
Senior party leaders from both parties accompanied their candidates. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao discussed with ministers and party leaders on poll strategy for the council, elections to Nizamabad and Bodhan municipalities among others.
