Devapur union polls: Premsagar’s camp scores political win over Labour Minister Vivek’s faction

In a politically significant development ahead of Telangana's local body elections, Labour Minister Dr G Vivek’s faction suffered a blow after their candidate lost to the cousin of rival MLA K Premsagar Rao in Orient Cement’s trade union polls.

Mancherial: Ahead of the local body elections, Labour Minister Dr G Vivek’s faction, including legislators G Vinod and Vedma Bojju, suffered a setback after their candidate was defeated by the cousin of Mancherial MLA K Premsagar Rao, who leads a rival faction. The defeat came in the elections to the recognised trade union of Orient Cement Company at Devapur village in Kaspet mandal.

Vivek, his brother Vinod and Khanapur MLA Bojju backed Puskur Vikram Rao, while Premsagar Rao fielded his cousin Satyapal Rao. Both sides campaigned aggressively, with the Minister and the MLA locking horns.

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The two groups reportedly shifted employees of the cement company to Ooty for over two weeks and allegedly influenced voters with parties, gifts and inducements of around Rs. 30,000 per vote. In the end, Satyapal Rao secured victory with 141 votes, while Vikram Rao polled 108 and another candidate, Bheemrao, managed six. The margin of victory was 33 votes.

Although Devapur falls under Bellampalli Assembly constituency represented by Vinod, Premsagar Rao managed to leave a mark on the outcome, handing a blow to Vivek’s faction and deepening the rift that has long existed between the two camps. Observers said the MLA used the election to register his dissent against the Minister.

The rivalry between the two leaders had earlier surfaced over protocol issues concerning elected representatives and during the recent Cabinet expansion. Vivek secured a berth with his proximity to the Congress top leadership, while Premsagar Rao, who had played a role in reviving the party, was left disappointed after being denied a place.

The outcome of the trade union election has now assumed political significance, with analysts warning that the internal feud could dent the party’s prospects in the forthcoming local body polls.