Hyderabad: The Backward Classes vote will play a decisive role in the Secunderabad Lok Sabha election, and the Congress’ prospects will be boosted by the assurance of Rahul Gandhi of conducting a caste survey and giving the community reservations in proportion to their population, said the party’s candidate Danam Nagendar.
In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Nagendar claimed that around 3 lakh members of the Munnuru Kapu community, toddy tappers, the Padmashali group and other BC communities were rallying behind him. The BJP was facing protests from Muslims and Christians.
Nagendar said his rival, state BJP chief and Union minister G. Kishan Reddy, was facing strong anti-incumbency as he was not accessible even to his own party workers and did not take up issues concerning voters from Secunderabad in Parliament.
"As president of the Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee for two terms, I toured all 24 Assembly segments and developed a rapport with the public. The Congress clinched a record number of Assembly seats in 2009 in the capital and came to power in the GHMC. My work would greatly help in the Lok Sabha polls," said Nagendar, who returned to the party from the BRS recently.
He said that he had persuaded then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy to give a `2,000-crore special package for the twin cities. “I will ask Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for a special development fund for the twin cities.”
He said that Revanth Reddy enjoyed the confidence of the people as a person who delivers on his promises. "Women have gone on largescale tours of different pilgrimage places after they were given the free bus travel facility. They will vote for the Congress,” he said.
Nagender alleged that the Opposition parties had been creating an artificial shortage of drinking water. The state government is committed to the Sunkesula project which will bring drinking water to the city and provide irrigation to some parts in Nalgonda and Rangareddy districts.
