HYDERABAD: As the TRS government is hurrying with its announcement of sops to woo Hyderabadis in the run-up to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections, Congress senior leader and former minister Marri Shashidhar Reddy alleged that the ruling party is misleading people with false promises. Accusing the TRS of bulldozing opposition and resorting to unprecedented unfair practices, Reddy has vowed to expose the ruling party in the days to come. He are some excerpts of an interview Express had with him:
You have alleged irregularities in preparation for GHMC elections. How will you face the situation?
Initially, the ruling party in the state tried to delay the elections as it did not have strength in Greater Hyderabad. Its leaders used their power and influenced even the Election Commission. Changes in voter list, delimitation and reservation of wards were done under the influence of the ruling party. Now they want to wrap up polls in a hurried manner as they do not want to give opposition parties time to prepare. If elections were held before January 30, then it would have amounted to perjury on the part of EC and would have set a bad precedent. But finally democracy won and HC gave a stay on amendments made to GHMC elections schedule.
Do you think HC’s order will help Congress party?
We did not move Court for any political benefits but to uphold certain democractic values. TRS government cannot go on violating rules and law so brazenly. HC’s order is definitely a setback for TRS government. I will term it as a victory of democracy. This will certainly boost the morale of Congress cadres in Greater Hyderabad.
Why do you think TRS is hurrying to complete elections in a short time?
TRS fears GHMC elections, as it does not have strength in the city. Therefore it wants to take opposition parties by surprise and, by using its power, wants to score an advantage. That’s the reason they have launched a publicity blitzkrieg all over Hyderabad and are making false promises and going on an inauguration-spree. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wants to wrap up the polls as quickly as possible.
Don’t you think the sops will influence voters?
Hyderabadis are not so immature as to be fooled by false promises. In the past KCR went to the extent of saying that all Andhra people would be driven out of Hyderabad and created insecurity among them. About one-third of the population of Greater Hyderabad are Andhras. Also local conditions and candidates’ credentials do matter. KCR cannot fool voters by making promises.
What will be the poll plank of the Congress?
Cautioning people about the false promises made by KCR will be our main strategy. It is misleading the public on the double bedroom scheme. TRS is resorting to all sorts of unfair practices. We will enlighten people about the truth behind TRS promises and tactics.