TRS leadership is seriously searching for a winning horse in Warangal bypoll scheduled to be held on Nov 21. Though irrigation minister T Harish Rao tried to rope in former Congress MP, Vivek for the bypoll, the latter smoothly declined it. The bypoll was caused as Kadiam Srihari resigned to the MP seat.
In a related development, disgruntled former Deputy Chief Minister Dr T Rajaiah’s wife Mary Fathima is seeking a chance for the bypoll. She opined that injustice was meted out to her family by removal of her husband from the top post. If Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao gives her a ticket to compensate, she will sure contest and win the seat, she said. When Vivek visited TRS leader Kesava Rao’s residence Saturday night, Harish asked him to contest the bypoll on TRS ticket. However, Vivek turned down the offer. Despite this, the TRS is keen to make use of the strength of Vivek to take on a candidate being jointly fielded by the BJP and TDP. Later Vivek told media that he will not join the ruling party for the by election. This perhaps perturbed the plans of the ruling party which is now concentrating on finding a suitable SC candidate with some popularity.
Since the seat is reserved for SC category, the TRS is keen on finding one for the prestigious- turned bypoll whose result will be announced on Nov 24. While Telugu Desam and BJP are planning to field a joint candidate against the ruling party, the TRS is planning to announce its candidate in a day or two, it is learnt. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was busy holding discussions with top leaders and those of Warangal including Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari. KCR is to take a call before leaving for Delhi on Monday night, it is learnt.
Telangana Congress chief Utham Kumar Reddy is said to have annoyed at the meeting of Vivek with Kesava Rao and Harish Rao’s offer. However, the TRS leaders feel that Vivek will join their party fold to contest the Warangal bypoll. (NSS)