Congress confident of clinching Palakurthi

Palakurthi (Janagaon): The electoral battle to clinch Palakurthi constituency is going to be one of the most intriguing contests of all in the erstwhile Warangal district with Janga Raghava Reddy, former Warangal DCCB chairman, to face his arch rival and former (sitting) MLA Errabelli Dayakar Rao. Although, the Congress led Maha Kutami (Grand Alliance) is yet to announce its candidate, in all probability it is going to be Janga Raghava Reddy, who has been preparing ground for himself for the last few years.

Although Congress’ Dugyala Srinivas Rao lost Palakurthi seat to Telugu Desam candidate Errabelli Dayakar Rao twice – 2009 and 2014, it was a neck and neck contest. Against the backdrop that Errabelli shifting loyalties to the TRS, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) is in favour of fielding Janga Raghava Reddy in Palakurthi constituency. The rivalry between Errabelli and Janga is well known in the region with the former accusing the latter of misusing funds of DCCB.

Virtually assured of Palakurthi seat, Raghava Reddy has been campaigning intensively since the Assembly was dissolved last month. Reddy appeared confident when The Hans India caught up him at his office in Palakurthi.

THI: What about your prospects?
Reddy: I have been visiting the constituency for the last four years to reach out the people and to know their problems. I am sure that those who participated in the Statehood Movement will not vote for sitting MLA, Errabelli. The advantage the Congress has in this constituency is it commands the support of Lambada community. In addition to this, I have the support of Reddy community which has a good chunk of voters. People in the constituency have seen how I worked committedly during my stint as DCCB chairman.

THI: What is the disadvantage the sitting MLA has in your view?
Reddy: Errabelli didn’t do anything for the constituency. All that development people have been witnessing in the region is due to the initiatives of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government. Due to absence of proper healthcare facilities in the region, people are facing severe hardships as they have to go Warangal or Hyderabad.

Whenever there is a problem, people come to me for help. I am pretty confident that dissidents in TRS would help me outright. Even though Errabelli switched over to TRS, at least 30 per cent of the TDP’s loyal workers are ready to vote for the Congress.

THI: Your opponent is a seasoned politician and how do you manage yourself?
Reddy: Since my school days, I am proactive and had been maintaining public relations. I know all the gimmicks of politicians. Having lost Palakurthi seat twice, the party workers are hungry to show their strength in the upcoming elections. Palakurthi will be the first seat that Congress gets from the erstwhile Warangal district and with a majority of 20,000 to 30, 000. People know how Errabelli backstabbed his own mother party

Telugu Desam.
THI: What is your disadvantage?
Reddy: The ruling TRS party tried its best to tarnish my image as the DCCB chairman. My antagonists even tried to stamp an image of goonda on me. Fearing defeat, the TRS leaders conspired and ousted me from the DCCB chairman post.

THI: Tell me about your campaign.
Reddy: I am covering at least 10 villages a day and people’s response is very good. Two major mandals - Raiparthy and Thorrur – are likely to give me advantage.

THI: Why people should vote for you?
Reddy: They gave mandate to TDP twice. They are tired of incumbent MLA and now in the changed political scenario, the Congress which is leading the Maha Kutami is the right party to provide good governance.