It is another stronghold of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) ever since the party was established, comprising nine Assembly seats in which it won all in the 2014 elections.
Now the party has fielded all the nine incumbents and all constituencies are witnessing a multi-cornered contest.
Except in Nizamabad (Urban), the Congress has nearly escaped rebel threat as they withdrew from contest after the party leaders successfully cajoled them.
Mutyala Sunil Reddy and P. Vinay Reddy, who walked out of the TRS, are in the fray in Balkonda and Armoor from BSP and BJP respectively.
In Jukkal, Arunatara is contesting from the BJP as the Congress has denied her a ticket.
Mixed verdicts
The district had given mixed results in 2009 with the BJP, Congress, TRS and PRP winning one seat each — Nizamabad, Bodhan, Yellareddy and Balkonda, while the TDP secured five — Armoor, Dichpally, Banswada, Jukkal and Kamareddy.
In that election TRS and TDP were alliance partners. While the TDP contested five and won all, TRS contested in four, secured just Yellareddy where E. Ravinder Reddy won, a second hit.
In 2004 the Congress and TRS were in alliance, and the former bagged six seats, and the latter won three.
Culture factors
The district has 17.17 lakh voters with more female voters at 8.94 lakh, while there are 8.25 lakh males. Youth voters aged between 20 and 40 years constitute a large chunk in all constituencies. Over 1.6 lakh new voters got enrolled in the list.
As the district borders with Maharashtra and Karnataka, it has a mixed culture and traditions. Cultural influence of both the States is significant on voters of Jukkal, Bodhan, Banswada and Yellareddy.
Further, a considerable number of north Indians live in the city. Muslim constitute at least 25%. The erstwhile undivided district basically is an agrarian economy with literally no industries worth the name.
The TRS, which announced its candidates earlier than others is going all out to retain all the nine seats, while its opponents, the Congress-led People’s Front is trying to catch up after announcing all candidates. The BJP has also pitted candidates in all constituencies. Though BLF (Bahujan Left Front) is also fielding its nominees, its campaign is low key.
Points, counterpoints
The campaign will hot up with the arrival of star campaigners. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has already addressed meetings at three places and Congress’ star campaigner Rahul Gandhi spoke at Kamareddy. Union Ministers J. P. Nadda and Santosh Gangwar campaigned, while Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and others are expected to join the BJP campaign.
The Opposition mainly targeted its attack on the TRS’ failures in not keeping its promises of double bedroom houses, three-acre land for Dalits, employment for youth, and takeover of the Nizam Sugar Factory (NSF). The latter trained its campaign on Kaleshwaram, SRSP restoration scheme, 24-hour free power, Rythu Bandhu scheme and insurance cover for bereaved families of farmers.
Poll issues
Reopening and takeover of NSF, exclusive rights for district on Singur and Nizam Sagar waters, setting up of a turmeric board, Lakkampally SEZ (mega food processing park), withdrawal of cases on farmers for demanding Godavari water for kharif, and beedi workers’ welfare are voters’ issues.