Rebels become headache for both BJP and Congress in Karimnagar region

Rebellion within both Congress and BJP has surfaced in the run-up to municipal elections in Karimnagar district, with several leaders refusing to withdraw nominations after being denied party tickets. Congress leader Mondi Srilatha Chandrashekhar and BJP veteran Bethi Mahender Reddy are contesting independently.

Karimnagar: The rebel problem is haunting both the Congress and the BJP in the erstwhile Karimnagar district. Though Tuesday was the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the municipal elections, several leaders who filed nominations for ward member and corporator posts have not withdrawn their papers.

There is stiff competition for ward member and corporator seats, with three to four aspirants vying for each seat in both parties. As it is not possible to issue B-forms to all aspirants, many leaders have been left disappointed. Leaders who failed to secure party B-forms have decided to continue in the fray as independent candidates.

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Congress leader and former corporator Mondi Srilatha Chandrashekhar has decided to contest as an independent candidate from the 53rd division of Karimnagar Municipal Corporation.

Chandrashekhar alleged that Karimnagar constituency in-charge Velichala Rajender Rao allocated the party ticket to another person after entering into a secret understanding with the BJP.

Senior BJP leader and former Karimnagar town president Bethi Mahender Reddy has also decided to contest on behalf of the Jana Sena Party. Mahender Reddy, who sought the ticket from the 24th division, resigned from the BJP after being denied the ticket and submitted the Jana Sena B-form. Earlier, he was a close associate of Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

In Jagtial, followers of senior Congress leader T Jeevan Reddy have decided to contest as independent candidates. Congress Metpally town president Haritha broke down after being denied a ticket. She said the District Congress Committee president had initially asked her to collect the B-form, but the ticket was later given to another candidate. She narrated her ordeal before district Mahila Congress president Vijayalakshmi.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Nagaraju Goud from Sircilla quit the party and submitted his resignation letter at Ambedkar statue in Sircilla town. Nagaraju Goud, who sought the ticket from the 10th ward, alleged that BJP district president Gopi demanded money for allotting the ticket.