HYDERABAD: As many as 1,122 candidates will battle it out for 150 wards of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation which goes to polls on December 1. This after 695 candidates withdrew 1,377 nomination papers on the last day of withdrawals on Sunday.
The number of contesting candidates is 211 lesser compared to 1333 candidates who contested in 2016 GHMC polls. The reason being attributed for this is that many other registered and recognised parties including Lok Satta had contested in 2016, which do not have a single candidate this time.
The contest this time is mainly a triangular fight between TRS, BJP and Congress in the 100 wards in Secunderabad, Cyberabad and other parts of Greater Hyderabad and will be four-cornered between MIM, BJP, TRS and Congress in the Old City.
Right from illiterates, retired employees, businessmen and housewives to those holding B.Tech, M.Tech degrees and doctors, candidates from varied backgrounds have entered the fray for the polls. Age too is no bar with candidates aged 21 to 75 fighting a pitched battle.
This time the BJP fielded candidates from all 150 wards. However, it’s candidate’s nomination from Nawabsahebkunta ward was rejected. The saffron party had contested 55 wards in 2016. The BJP had an electoral alliance with the TDP in 2016, but is going alone this time. Jana Sena party candidates withdrew from the fray in support of the BJP.
MIM is contesting in over 51 wards. The TRS and Congress too fielded candidates from 150 wards each. The nominations of candidates belonging to the Congress were rejected from Tala Chanchalam, Barkas, Golconda and Toli Chowki making it 146 for the Congress. The ruling TRS is the only party contesting from all wards.
The number of independent candidates is only 415 this election. Another 76 candidates are in fay from recognized and regional parties.
Despite the TRS, BJP and Congress leadership managing to cajole and convince the rebels to withdraw from a majority of wards, some of the aspirants remained in fray. Last minute efforts are being made to ensure that they remain as dummy (silent) candidates without campaigning so that they don’t cut into the vote bank of their respective parties. The TDP is contesting in as many as 106 wards.