TDP and Congress in a spot over Banswada By-polls

The Telangana issue will be to the fore and influence the outcome of the byelection in the Banswada Assembly constituency. The former Telugu Desam MLA, Mr Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, who resigned the Assembly seat as well as primary membership of the Telugu Desam to protest the party’s double standards on the Telangana issue, is to contest on a Telangana Rashtra Samiti ticket this time.

Since he is expected to be in a very strong position because of his espousal of the Telangana issue, it remains to be seen whether the Congress and TD will field candidates against him or not. There is a growing demand from Telangana protagonists to ensure a unanimous victory for Mr Srinivas Reddy since he has resigned for the Telangana cause. The BJP and YSR Congress have decided not to field candidates against him. “We will not field a candidate in Banswada,” said Mr Bajireddy Goverdhan of the YSR Congress.

According to Telangana Telugu Desam Forum leaders, the TD will not contest the election if Mr Srinivas Reddy contests as an independent, which is unlikely. “We have made it clear. We will stay away from the elections till Telangana is achieved. If someone contests as an independent, we have no objection. If he or she is fielded as a party candidate, we will discuss it in the party and take a decision,” a forum leader said.

TD local leaders Mr Badya Naik, ex-MLA, Gangadhar are in the race. A decision on the candidate will be taken by the TD chief Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu. In an identical case, Mr Ch. Ramesh, who quit the TD and contested on a TRS ticket from Vemulawada Assembly constituency, won with a thumping majority.

By-election to the Banswada Assembly constituency in the State will be held on October 13.Polling will be held on October 13 and the counting of votes taken up on October 17.

Related posts:

1. TRS wins ‘Banswada’ by-poll
2. TRS leading in Banswada by-poll
3. By-poll on in Telangana’s Banswada seat
4. Boycott Banswada bye-election – Errabelli
5. YSR Congress joins Telangana movement
6. Cong to contest Banswada by-polls
7. Banswada assembly bypoll on October 13
8. TRS in a bad spot in T by-polls
9. Congress gets set-back in Council elections
10. Congress may skip T by-polls