Kurnool: In the minority dominated Kurnool Assembly segment, an intense fight is on the cards between YSRC's Hafeez Khan and Telugu Desam candidate T.G. Bharath. While Hafeez was riding the wave of Jagan, his opponent is meticulously enlisting support of different sections of society by undertaking constituency 'vision yatra'.
Hafeez Khan ran into rough weather when he alleged that T.G. Venkatesh, father of T.G. Bharath, was a land grabber. There was anger across the Assembly segment with Hafeez being asked to prove the charges. The YSRC candidate was assaulted at his own house and suffered injuries on his head. His campaign was halted while he was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for two days.
T.G. Bharath said, "My manifesto with 18 points is my strength for the election. I am going to develop Kurnool along with TD manifesto which government will implement. I will construct check dams to resolve water problems in Kurnool forever. My manifesto is my promise".
The manifesto includes resolving drinking water problem, providing employment opportunities, civic issues like clean and green drives, better drainage facilities and beautification of the Kurnool city.
Rajya Sabha MP T.G. Venkatesh, the guiding force behind Bharath, had left no stone unturned in enlisting the support of leaders. KE Krsihna Murthy family, Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy, prominent Muslim leaders, BC leaders were extending support to him.
Hafeez Khan largely banks on YSRCP strength and Christian minorities. Butta Renuka and SV Mohan Reddy who made a home coming to YSRCP were also campaigning for him He said Jagan's Navarathnalu would transform the society and people were convinced of Jagan's capabilities.
Kurnool city which is densely populated with Muslim minority votes had no hope of endorsing YSRCP candidate as Jagan and Narendra Modi were seen as anti- minority. He said they were secure only under Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
He said the new found alliances between Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy and KE Krishna Murthy and TG family and Byredy Rajasekhar Reddy could be leveraged well for the development of the city.
Kurnool TD candidate TG Bharath alleged that YSRCP candidate Hafeez Khan was polarizing communities and inciting religious sentiments to secure a win in the elections.
He said Hafeez being propped up by anti social elements was not a right choice to represent Kurnool city.
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