At a time when Congress, BRS and BJP are taking strategic steps to prove their hold on Telangana politics by winning the Jubilee Hills constituency, where the by-election will be held following the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, the efforts for reconciliation between the BRS and Telangana Desam parties, which have been political rivals for more than ten years are creating a sensation.
Congress leader Sama Rammohan Reddy’s allegation that BRS working president KTR secretly met AP Minister Nara Lokesh is creating political turmoil. He demanded that KTR explain why he met Lokesh, at a time when they are fighting with AP over Banakacharla? If KTR responds to the matter of his meeting with Lokesh, he said that he is ready to reveal the rest.
However, both KTR and Lokesh are silent over Sama’s allegations. The upcoming Jubilee Hills bypoll is now becoming prestigious for BRS. According to sources, KTR contacted Lokesh seeking TDP’s strategic support in this by-election by not fielding their own candidate. Congress leaders are making moves to show that BRS has not regained its footing by winning here like in Cantonment.
By winning a sitting seat, BRS hopes to prove that they will win whenever and wherever elections are held in Telangana and that people are tired of Congress. BJP is trying to assert its power with the support of TDP-Jana Sena, which are partners in the NDA.
On the otherhand, in view of considerable clout for their party in this constituency, TDP circles are insisting to contest from here. BRS worried fielding of a TDP candidate would damage their prospects dividing anti-Congress votes. To convince the TDP to keep away from contesting here, KTR has reportedly made a proposal with TDP leader Lokesh, that BRS will field Gopinath’s family member as their candidate.
Gopinath won for the first time in 2014 as TDP candidate, but later shifted to BRS. However, he has been maintaining a good relationship with Lokesh and other TDP leaders. It may be recalled that after his death, Lokesh also came to pay his respects to Gopinath with his wife Brahmani. He consoled Gopinath’s family members.
However, TDP sources say that Lokesh has not expressed his willingness to meet KTR directly. It is known that they only spoke on the phone. With this, it remains to be seen what the TDP’s final decision will be regarding the Jubilee Hills contest.
