Upcoming graduate constituency elections for Legislative Council in Telangana are going to be an exciting affair if the array of candidates throwing their hats in the ring is of any indication. The three major political parties, TRS, Congress and BJP, have been busy enrolling voters in districts with an eye on winning both the seats going to polls.
TJS president Prof M Kodandaram is said to be trying to contest in the Nalgonda-Khammam-Warangal constituency with the support of opposition, while former MLC Prof K Nageshwar is also girding for a fight with the backing of Left parties. All opposition parties had united during the last Assembly elections to fight the TRS. Prof Kodandaram wants to replicate this now also. He is appealing to opposition parties to extend their support in at least two erstwhile combined districts in this election.
Will opposition oblige?
It is to be seen whether the opposition would heed his request. The grand alliance formed by opposition at the time of Assembly elections was marred by bickering and delays. Kodandaram openly blamed the delay in allotment of seats for the defeat of the alliance. These comments drew a strong reaction from Congress and other parties. There has been no interaction between the constituents of the opposition alliance since the Assembly poll disaster. It is unlikely that there would be any sudden rapport among them for MLC polls. Opposition parties are also miffed at Kodandaram for approaching them only when he needed them.
Left to field Nageswhar
Prof Nageshwar, who served as Council Member twice, is likely to be in the fray as Left candidate. If Left parties do not extend their support, sources close to him say that he will contest as an independent. He is said to be talking with Left parties and graduates on his candidacy. So, people can see some exciting action in the MLC poll arena as two professors will be among the nominees.
