Two leaders who fought unitedly for statehood to Telangana have now become arch rivals. The upcoming MLC elections for graduates’ constituency created a rift between them. The two leaders are TJS leader Prof M Kodandaram and Telangana Inti Party president Cheruku Sudhakar.
Prof Kodandarm went to the office of Telangana Inti Party and handed over a letter to Sudhakar seeking his support for the Nalgonda-Warangal-Khammam graduate constituency elections. Sudhakar has reportedly told him that he himself would be contesting the elections. He told the professor that he had been fighting for the last 40 years for the rights of people as well as Telangana state and he should be given a chance.
He is saying that besides extending service to the people as a medical doctor, he had actively participated in first and second Telangana movements. Using caste card, he is claiming that injustice is being done to backward classes in representation in legislatures and he would face opposition from people if he supports Kodandaram who is a Reddy.
Further, Cheruku Sudhakar is arguing that Kodandaram was not seen anywhere before the second Telangana movement and he never moved in Nalgonda, Khammam and Warangal districts except working as a professor at Kakatiya University.
Sudhakar also opines that Kodandaram has settled in Hyderabad a long time ago and only occasionally visits Warangal. He contends that Prof Kodandaram, who claims he is heir to Prof Jayashankar’s legacy had never followed in his footsteps and if he wants to enter Legislative Council, he can contest from Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahboobnagar constituency.
‘Hyderabad best for Kodanda’
Cheruku Sudhakar is suggesting that Prof Kodandaram has a strong base in Hyderabad as he had studied and worked there as a professor, besides settling there many years ago. Hence, it would be appropriate for him to contest there in the graduate elections. He says if necessary, he will also extend his support to the professor.
Anyway, the MLC polls has turned the two leaders who fought for Telangana into rivals. It is to be seen whether the voters will choose one of them, or prefer TRS, rejecting both.
