Hyderabad: Quthbullapur BRS legislator KP Vivekanand Goud is facing a tough challenge in the upcoming Assembly elections. TDP State unit president Kasani Gnaneshwar Mudiraj is testing his luck from the segment, while former MLA K Srisailam Goud is seeking the BJP ticket. The Congress has announced K Hanumanth Reddy as its candidate.
The constituency is dominated by Andhra voters, especially TDP supporters. The local MLA is facing anti-incumbency due to not fulfilling promises made to the locals. In the four-corner contest, he will have to work harder to win. All four candidates have support in the segment.
If people want change, they are likely to choose a non-BRS party, which will greatly affect Vivekanand’s chances of winning. The constituency has a total of 4.23 lakh voters, including 2.27 lakh men. In the 2018 elections, voter turnout was 55.84%, while in 2014 it was only 48.30%. In the last elections, Vivekanand won by a margin of 41,00 votes against the Congress candidate. He had previously won on a TDP ticket in 2014.
Vivekanand is facing criticism for not fulfilling promises made during the last elections. There is still a demand for cement roads in colonies and regular supply of clean water in some areas, particularly Nizampet. Allegations of land encroachment by some BRS leaders and illegal constructions have damaged the MLA’s reputation.
Despite the challenges, Vivekanand is making efforts to win over local voters for a third consecutive victory. However, the TDP candidate may spoil his chances as Andhra voters are unlikely to support the BRS this time. The TDP plans to hold public meetings with actor Nandamuri Balakrishna as their star campaigner.
