HYDERABAD: The voters of Musheerabad, just like the visitors to the popular fish market of the locality, have a choice to make in the upcoming Assembly elections. The only difference, though, is that while the local customers have a plenty to choose from, one is not sure if the electorate have a variety of, read better, alternatives to make their pick.
For this very reason —lack of options — the mood of the voters is expected to swing like a pendulum in the run up to December 7 elections, depending on how the political parties will be able to convince, or lure, them to support their candidates.To make matters worse for the undecided voters, the big three of the State politics too are battling their own limitations and looking at anything other than their achievements to pull it off in this polls.
For instance, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), as usual, will be depending on the popularity of their party supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao to fetch them votes. The Congress leaders, as has been the case for some time now, will be banking on party’s past glory to attract the voters to their side. The BJP, on the other hand, is at a critical juncture as it has to overcome the ill effects — perceived or otherwise — of demonetisation and GST reforms.
The fact that confusion persists in the minds of voters can be gauged from the reaction of the cross-section of people that Express talk to.For instance, S Sainath, a recent graduate residing in Chikadpally, which is a popular education hub that comes under Musheerabad constituency, is not completely sure if he should support his favourite party TRS. “KCR (TRS chief) has fulfilled only 50 per cent of the promises that he has made. And he hasn’t been 100 per cent successful too,” he said.
“Will I vote for TRS? As I said he has not been 100 per cent successful. But the fact he has tried and succeeded to some extent, I think, I will support him,” he reasoned.His friend V Suresh, also a graduate, questioned the failure of local MLA K Laxman of BJP to visit the locality after the winning election despite several issues that needed to be addressed. The BJP cadre though claim that common complaint that ‘Laxman doesn’t visit’ Musheerabad is a lot to do with his responsibilities as BJP State president.
And it looks the present situation has presented an opportunity for TRS candidate Muka Gopal to take advantage of as he is eyeing Musheerabad seat after his unsuccessful attempt in the 2014 elections. However, the political observers believe his prospects have taken a serious blow as his was one of the last names to be cleared by the TRS while releasing their list of candidates.
“I would have not got the ticket if I was not a winnable candidate. I will make sure that I’ll win this seat considering that I’ve ensured to get several works done in the absence of the MLA. I have been a politician for 40 years now, I know the people’s concern and their pulse,,” Gopal said.
Surprises and hurdles
This time, the real surprise in this constituency is the projection of Anil Kumar Yadav, State president of Youth Congress, as the face of the Congress. The son of former MP Anjan Kumar Yadav, Anil Kumar is relying on past glory of his father in attracting the voters to his side. “I am happy to know that my father has a lot of popularity. Many still remember the good work he has done.
He will also be campaigning for me to win this seat,” pointed out Anil Kumar. The BJP, which is hoping to repeat its 2014 magic, is facing the criticism over GST and demonetisation effects. “Laxman has been on point in coordinating with the various corporators in getting work done. This is despite the fact that the corporators belong to other parties,” observed a Musheerabad local who didn’t wish to be named.
“But the real challenge will be on how the ill effects of GST and demonetisation will be undone.”