Congress faces confusion over Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda MLC polls

Congress faces uncertainty over preparations for the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates’ MLC election, with questions over voter enrolment and campaign activity. The entry of Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’s associate Mendem Kiran Kumar has added another dimension to the party’s election strategy

Khammam: There seems to be confusion within the Congress over the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Graduates’ Constituency MLC election.

Multiple factors have been affecting the party’s preparations, including efforts to streamline the cadre and leaders and, above all, launch a campaign for the polls. Initially, rumours were spread that the party’s candidate, Ramreddy Sarvotham Reddy, was not interested in contesting the election due to a shortage of funds.

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The rumours prompted him to reach out to the media, clarifying that he was very much interested in contesting the MLC election and would win it, as Congress leaders and MLAs in the 36 Assembly constituencies falling under the Graduates’ Constituency were supporting him.

However, there have been complaints among party cadres in the erstwhile Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda districts that none of the MLAs are actively involved in voter registration or campaigning, even as the BRS has been reaching out to graduates across the three districts.

Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’s staunch follower and Right Choice IAS Academy chairman, Mendem Kiran Kumar, has entered the electoral fray and started holding meetings in Khammam and Kothagudem districts.

He is engaged in the graduate voter enrolment drive and claims that he is backed by a strong network of 1.5 lakh youths in Khammam, Nalgonda and Warangal districts. He stated that he had provided quality training and guidance through the academy to help them secure jobs.

Setting aside Kiran Kumar’s claims and his achievements as a job trainer, his association with Minister Srinivas Reddy is what has raised curiosity in political circles. The Minister is seen as a personal benefactor of Kiran Kumar and has never missed any event organised by the latter.

At present, Ministers Bhatti Vikramarka and N Uttam Kumar Reddy are monitoring the affairs related to the election. Sooner or later, Minister Srinivas Reddy might be asked to play an active role in the electioneering.

In view of this, it has now become interesting for many to see whether the Minister supports his loyalist or the party candidate in the election, or asks Kiran Kumar to withdraw from the contest.