MPTCs Forum to field candidates for MLCs

The Telangana MPTC Forum leaders claim that the MPTCs’ votes are nearly 80 per cent in most of the MLC seats, and thus, they could decide the success of candidates in the MLC elections. There are a total of 882 voters, including 52 ZPTCs, 635 MPTCs and 188 municipal councilors, besides six MLAs and an MP, who will exercise their franchise in the Adilabad MLC elections.

The Telangana MPTC Forum is up in arms against the TRS and fielding its candidates in all the 12 MLC seats going for elections in the state. The Forum came out with a new slogan, “Votlu Maave.. Seatlu Maave” (Majority votes are MPTCs and seats too). The Forum surprisingly declared that they would field candidates irrespective of party affiliation and vote for them.

Its sudden decision has shocked the Congress and Telugu Desam too. The Congress, TRS and TD leadership is persuading the MPTCs of their parties not to take part in the Forum’s activities.

At the district-level Forum meeting held at Jannaram on Friday, its West and East district presidents, Pavan Naik and Narsaiah, expressed their anger against the state government for its “stepmotherly love” for the MPTCs and not fulfilling promises made during the elections.

The MPTCs votes are high compared to those of other members in the MLC elections and play a key role in the victory of candidates. The Forum declared the Kawal MPTC Md Riyazuddin of the Congress as its candidate in the Adilabad MLC elections. Riyazuddin is active in the Forum’s activities as a district co-convener.

The MPTCs have been agitating for some time, demanding that the state government give them priority in local programmes, such as Grama jyothi and other government welfare schemes, as they felt that they had been sidelined, with top priority being given to sarpanches.

Upbeat after the resounding win in the recent MP byelection, the TRS is looking to run away with this lone MLC seat also. With majority votes in their favour, the ruling party is all set to win this seat. As a result, the Opposition parties have launched a search for finding candidates to contest in this election. Reportedly, no one is coming forward from any party. This has put them under stress about whom to bring into fray for contesting the election.

On the other hand, aspirants from the TRS have begun lobbying to contest for this seat. It is said that many have reached Hyderabad to please Chief Minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao to give them this seat. Many claim that Mr Rao has promised them this seat on many occasions.

Among the aspirants from the TRS is former MLC Konda Muralidhar Rao who is known for his political tactics and after joining the pink party from the YSRC along with wife Konda Surekha, was disappointed with Mr Rao, who promised a Cabinet berth for his wife Surekha who won as MLA.

In addition, there is also speculation that a candidate from the BC community will be chosen this time. If that is the case, party district president T. Ravinder Rao who has been expecting this chance might be left disappointed.