A keen contest is expected between the ruling TRS and the Congress and BJP contestants from Karimnagar Graduates’ Constituency in the upcoming Legislative Council elections, scheduled to be held on March 22.

After the withdrawal of nominations on Friday, a total of 17 candidates remained in the fray from this constituency that comprises Karimnagar, Adilabad, Nizamabad and Medak districts.

The main contest is likely between TRS-supported contestant Mamidla Chandrashekhar Goud, former Deputy Transport Commissioner, who resigned to his post for contesting the elections, six-time legislator from Jagtial and former Minister T. Jeevan Reddy from Congress and BJP Kisan Morcha’s national general secretary P. Sugunakar Rao.

Besides, former TV anchor Rani Rudrama Devi, a member of Yuva Telangana Party, and other independents are also in the fray making it a tough contest.

Meanwhile, Telangana Recognised Schools’ Management Association (TRSMA) State secretary Y. Shekhar Rao, a close associate of Nizamabad MP K. Kavitha, had all his hopes dashed of contesting the council elections when he was asked by the TRS high command to withdraw from the contest and support the party-backed candidate M. Chandrashekhar Goud. On Friday, after he withdrew from the contest, he collapsed in front of the media persons owing to high blood pressure. He campaigned for the party for the past one year in view of the council elections and was even actively involved in the enrolment of voters.

Even TNGOs State leader M.A. Hameed had expected TRS’ support to contest in the polls. But he too was forced to withdraw from the elections. The same was the case with TRSMA chief advisor K. Anantha Reddy. Given this, one has to see if the TRSMA and TNGOs would support the TRS-backed candidate in the upcoming polls.

Poll campaign

When it comes to electioneering, it is conspicuous that the Congress and BJP contestants are far ahead compared to the others. They have been conducting whirlwind tours of all the districts and are attending public meetings.