Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister has invited former TDP minister Mandava Venkateshwar Rao into the party. Mandava is a former colleague of KCR during the TDP regime in the united Andhra Pradesh. Why KCR is luring Mandava is the question making rounds in the political circles.
“The answer is simple. The contesting of 185 candidates in Nizamabad is posing a major hurdle for TRS and Mandava has good hold in the farming community in the Nizamabad district. That’s the reason, KCR has personally went to Mandava’s home to invite him to join the TRS party,” said a political analyst.
With 185 candidates contesting in Lok Sabha constituency, Nizamabad has attracted the nation’s attention. Farmers of turmeric and jowar turned against the TRS over not getting minimum support price (MSP) for their produce. Though it’s central subject, farmers are showing their ire over TRS. In protest against the Centre and state governments, farmers numbering over 185 have filed their nominations for the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency. This has created a tough time for sitting MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha, daughter of KCR.
Mandava’s joining TRS came up for discussion among the political circles before assembly elections also. Mandava was invited before Assembly elections in December 2018, but he didn’t show interest as TDP was contesting under Mahakutami banner.
Cutting across the party lines, KCR and Mandava have cordial relations. Mandava was MLA for five terms and served as major irrigation minister during the TDP ruling in the united AP.
Farmers are demanding for ballot paper instead of EVMs and Congress is also supporting this demand.
It’s difficult for rural voters to identify the candidate of their choice sorting out 185 candidates on EVM, said farmers in a representation to the Election Commission (EC), while requesting for normal ballot paper. This created concerns among the TRS cadres as it’ll dent the vote bank. The truck and similar vehicle symbols damaged TRS vote bank in the Assembly elections as rural voters got confused and voted for other vehicle symbols instead of car symbol. With lengthy list of 185 candidates in the fray, TRS is worried over the poll pattern in the rural areas of Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency. Barring Mandava, all the TDP leaders and cadres joined TRS.
