Hyderabad: Former deputy chief minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee president Danam Nagender and former minister J. Geeta Reddy are likely to face the MIM heat in the general elections.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has tentatively decided to field candidates in Andole, Khairatabad and Zaheerabad Assembly constituencies. Mr Raja Narasimha is the sitting MLA of Andole constituency (reserved for SCs), which has a total electorate of 2.23 lakh.
Sources revealed that out of this, Muslim and Scheduled Caste voters comprise more than 50,000 and MIM is expecting a multi-cornered contest in Andole.
In view of announcements from Telugu Desam and Telangana Rashtra Samiti that they will field their candidates against Congress’ Mr Raja Narasimha, the MIM has also decided to field an SC candidate from Andole.
Film actor Babu Mohan had defeated Mr Raja Narasimha in the 1994 and 1999 elections as a TDP candidate and he is likely to contest as a TRS candidate this time.
Similarly in Khairatabad, the MIM is expecting a multi cornered contest as Vijaya Reddy, daughter of P. Janardhan Reddy, is expected to contest on a YSR Congress ticket while the TRS and TDP will also filed candidates against Mr Danam Nagender.
As more than 65,000 out of a total electorate of 2.43 lakh are from the Muslim community, the MIM is of the opinion that it will have better chances of winning if it gives the ticket to a BC candidate.
Sources informed that the MIM leadership had also decided to contest from Zaheerabad against Congress’ Ms Geeta Reddy as there are more than 80,000 Muslim and SC voters here out of a electorate of 2.23 lakh.
Sources revealed that the party has identified the candidates and their names will be announced within two days.
