Battle royale awaits Kamareddi in Telangana

Telangana Chief Minister KCR and Congress candidate Revanth Reddy are vying for Kamareddi as their second constituency. The competition in this constituency would have been ordinary if not for the participation of two prominent leaders. The political landscape in Kamareddy has become charged with excitement as two political giants gear up to face off on November 30, accompanied by a newcomer, Katipally Venkataramana Reddy of the BJP, joining the competition.
A competitive three-way contest is on the horizon as the three parties make significant efforts to win over voters. Venkataramana Reddy is leading his campaign independently, stressing local sentiments and challenging the two influential contenders. Meanwhile, leaders from the BRS and Congress are assuring voters that they are fortunate to have one current Chief Minister and the potential for another (referring to Revanth Reddy). Chandrasekhar Rao and Revanth Reddy have intermittently visited the constituency to personally campaign, delegating the remaining responsibilities to local leaders. It is in this scenario that the BJP candidate has sought to capitalise on the situation.
According to locals, Venkataramana Reddy has established a reputation for accessibility and enjoys popularity among the electorate. His political journey commenced as a ZPTC member of Nizamabad Zilla Parishad. After leaving the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now BRS), he briefly joined Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress Party, driven by his deep admiration for the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. His father, K. Raji Reddy, was a well-regarded MLA of Kamareddy. In the past three years, Venkataramana Reddy has been associated with the BJP. The BJP candidate rose to prominence by championing the cause of delayed wages for Anganwadi workers and leading the protest against the Kamareddy Master Plan. The plan, which suggested incorporating numerous outlying villages into the municipality, faced strong opposition from local residents. Following weeks of agitation and outcry, the government ultimately abandoned the Master Plan. This stance garnered significant public support for Venkataramana Reddy. There is growing speculation that either Chandrasekhar Rao or Revanth Reddy might relinquish the seat if elected from Gajwel or Kodangal, triggering a by-election. This potential scenario poses a concern for the BRS and Congress. The prevailing perception is that if KCR or Revanth emerge victorious in their respective constituencies, they might vacate the Kamareddi seat, raising concerns about unfulfilled commitments. In the closely observed Kamareddy election, the performance of the two influential figures, often referred to as “Bahubalis” by party leaders, against the first-time contender is eagerly anticipated, as he is expected to pose a formidable challenge.