HYDERABAD: The delimitation of wards in Greater Hyderabad has put local leaders of all parties in a tizzy as the equations at the local level have changed and they have to prepare afresh according to the new wards they are in now.
While there was no change in the number of wards after the delimitation was carried out by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the boundaries of the wards have been changed in almost all the wards. As a result, local leaders who have been nursing their wards for the past four or five years have to face new reality.
“Delimitation of wards has completely changed the local and political equations. I was elected from Vidyanagar as a corporator in the last election but, in the delimitation process, the Vidyanagar division has vanished. Some areas of Vidyanagar were included in the Nallakunta and Baghamberpet wards. If someone from the Vidyanagar ward wants to contest now, he has to migrate to other wards and rework strategy to get acquainted with the voters there,” said Adapa Chandramouli, TDP leader and former corporator from Vidyanagar division.
While the delimitation has created several new wards, it has also obliterated several old ones. Divisions such as Kachiguda, Vidyanagar, Srinagar Colony, Dhoolpet, Padmaraonagar and Balkampet, which were well known have vanished after the delimitation.
While most of the divisions in the core city like Domalguda and Baghlingampally ceased to exist after delimitation, many new wards like Miyapur, Sulemannagar, Shastripuram, Venkatapuram among others were created in the outskirts. Though leaders from opposition parties and at all levels have criticised the government and GHMC over delimitation of wards, now they are gearing up for the poll battle accepting the new reality.
“The number of wards in Assembly constituencies from where opposition parties have won has been decreased. On the other hand, the number of wards in constituencies being represented by TRS MLAs are representing has been increased. The delimitation exercise was done in an unscientific way under the influence of ruling party leaders. As the TRS cannot take on the opposition in a democratic way they have resorted to all sorts of unfair practices. But we have strength in all areas of Hyderabad and are planing poll strategy according to the new wards,” said senior BJP leader and MLC Ramachandra Rao.
The list of new wards after delimitation was announced in October last and local leaders feel that it is difficult to get acquainted with the new wards and reach out to people in a span of just three months.
While the opposition parties are crying foul over the delimitation, TRS leaders and cadres are gearing up for the polls anticipating victory.
“Delimitation of wards was done on the basis of population and the government has not interfered. Fearing defeat, opposition parties have been making baseless allegations. It is true that the TRS was not able to make a mark in Greater Hyderabad in the general election held in 2014. But the situation has changed now and Chief Minister Chandrasekhara Rao has introduced many schemes for Hyderabad people. We are confident that we will win in GHMC elections with a big majority in the changed circumstances,” said Mynampally Hanumantha Rao, president of Greater Hyderabad unit of TRS.