Rebel threat worries Congress as nominations surge in Khammam

Congress leaders in Khammam and Kothagudem are worried over the threat of rebel candidates following a surge in municipal poll nominations. Uncertainty over seat sharing with CPI has added to confusion, with party sources doubting a possible alliance.

Khammam: The threat of rebel candidates is looming large over political parties, especially the Congress, in view of the large number of nominations filed by aspirants seeking to contest the forthcoming municipal elections.

The issue has further become complicated as the Congress and CPI have not finalised seat sharing. Candidates who were hoping to get the party’s B-form have filed nominations. Congress leaders in both Khammam and Kothagudem are now worried about how candidates denied B-forms would react and how to handle the situation if they remain in the poll fray as rebel candidates.

---

In Edulapuram, 82 nominations have been filed by Congress candidates for 32 wards, while CPI candidates filed nominations for 15 seats. There are two nominations from TDP and 52 from BRS, while 28 each from CPI (M) and BJP have been filed here. Interestingly, the CPI confined itself to just three seats each in Sathupalli and Wyra municipalities, while five nominations were filed in Madhira and two in Kallur by party candidates.

This indicates that the party has been sidelined by the Congress irrespective of its alliance with the Left party in the past. In view of this, it is unlikely that the two parties would work together in the elections, said party sources.

In Wyra, 92 nominations by Congress candidates, 42 from BRS, 21 from BJP and eight nominations from TDP were filed for 20 wards. In Sathupalli, 50 nominations from Congress, 53 from BRS and 24 from BJP were filed for 23 wards. In Kallur, 64 nominations each from BRS and Congress, and 16 from BJP have been filed for 20 wards. In Madhira, 86 nominations by Congress candidates, 40 by BRS, 21 by BJP and nine nominations by TDP candidates have been filed for 22 wards. In Kothagudem Municipal Corporation, 697 candidates filed 806 nominations for 60 wards. As many as 237 nominations were filed by Congress, 109 by CPI, 167 by BRS, 84 by BJP and 21 by Janasena Party.

The aspiring candidates are worried about the possibility of having to give up their candidature if there is an alliance between Congress and CPI. The suspense would continue until the withdrawal of nominations. It may be noted that in the previous municipal council, the BRS had 26 councillors and CPI had eight, while the Congress had just one. Two were independents.