Nizamabad: The advanced elections to the state assembly are turning out to be costly for the contesting candidates and MLA ticket aspirants of all major political parties. The long gap between polling date and the dissolution of the Assembly is adversely affecting them. Various sections of the people and organizations have been approaching the candidates seeking either financial help or community benefits.
As a result, the leaders are in dilemma over whether to be accessible so early to the people or not. For instance, a few MLA candidates are still inaccessible to the people as they are just visiting their peer groups. To avoid obligations, a few sitting MLAs are visiting particular sections only instead of the common people. It is an expensive affair for them to meet every section in their Assembly constituency. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior police officer, on condition of anonymity, said that at least Rs 10 lakh per day was required to meet the expenses of the contesting candidates.
“We observed that a few leaders are spending around Rs 10 lakh per day to meet the demands of individuals and communities in villages,” he stated. To avoid such a situation, a few leaders restricted their daily programmes, he added. Of the nine Assembly constituencies, the TRS declared its nominees for all seats and the BJP announced candidates for Nizamabad rural, Armoor and Kamareddy Assembly constituencies.
The Congress, Telugu Desam and Telangana Jana Samiti candidates’ lists are awaited. In this context, the leaders are keenly observing the latest developments.
Meanwhile, a few leaders are enthusiastically moving forward and positively considering the wishes of partymen as well as of the people in villages and towns.
A youth leader admitted that he had spent around Rs 1.50 crore so far lobbying for the MLA ticket.
“We spent money for conducting meetings as well as for other requirements,” he said. It was tough to get the MLA ticket but they were required to spend money for being a strong contender, he opined.
