Elections 2014: TDP-BJP tie-up turns into blessing in disguise for TRS
Hyderabad: The troubled alliance between the TDP and the BJP has come as a blessing in disguise for the TRS in GHMC limits as the party hardly has strong candidates to pit against major parties in more than half of the 24 Assembly seats.
Disgruntled leaders from both the TD and the BJP, who will lose the chance to contest the elections on account of the alliance, are now looking at the TRS to secure tickets.
Most leaders are of the opinion that it is better to contest as a TRS candidate than as an Independent. The TRS, thus, expects a heavy influx of leaders from the TD and the BJP into the party by April 9.
Since its inception in 2001, the party has hardly had any presence in GHMC limits. It could win just two seats (Musheerabad and Secunderabad) in the 2004 elections, that too in alliance with the Congress. It had drawn a blank in the 2009 elections though it was part of a “grand alliance” with the TD and Left parties.
Though TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao had announced candidates for 73 Assembly seats in two phases so far, only two seats pertaining to the GHMC limits were included in the list, thus reflecting the poor strength of the party there.
While former MLA T. Padma Rao has been nominated from the Secunderabad constituency, Ch. Kanaka Reddy has been nominated from the Malkajgiri constituency. The party is looking for suitable candidates for the rest of the 22 seats in GHMC limits.
Meanwhile, TD and BJP leaders in Khairatabad, Musheerabad, Jubilee Hills, Uppal, Amberpet etc. are now looking at the TRS for tickets.
T. Virendar Goud, son of TD leader and MP T. Devendar Goud, is upset with the Uppal seat being allotted to the BJP. He is now looking at other options. Si-milarly, TD leader Mynampally Hanumantha Rao, who has been campaigning in the Malakpet constituency, is also upset with the seat going to the BJP. TD leaders Mutaa Gopal and M.N. Srinivasa Rao were hoping for a Musheerabad ticket.
Similarly, BJP leaders from Amberpet, Khairatabad, Goshamahal, Kukatpally, Jubilee Hills, Sanathnagar and Secunderabad constituencies are also looking at other alternatives.
