KHAMMAM: Even though the top leaders of Congress and TDP have display their bonhomie, there are apprehensions about their ground level members, working together. Worst yet, doubts arise whether the traditional voters of Congress and TDP will be able to set aside their past differences.Already, a confusion prevails in 10 Assembly segments of the erstwhile Khammam district where other parties have already announced their candidates while grand alliance is yet to finalise their list owing to competition between Congress and TDP.
This uncertainty among the grand alliance partners is proving to be advantageous for TRS, CPM and BLF parties as their candidates have already completed first round campaign and are looking forward to the next phase. Meanwhile, both the cadre of Congress and TDP are a confused lot and they are wondering how to work together after all until now they were bitter rivals. In villages especially, workers and supporters of TDP are unable to digest their leaders’ understanding with Congress.
N Prabhakar Rao, a retired teacher and a TDP supporter in Khammam, said: “I have never voted for any other party after TDP was formed. But this time my preference will be to vote for TRS and not Congress.”
On the other hand, members of a major community, which has been a traditional supporter of Congress in Telangana, are also now leaning TRS as they don’t want to favour TDP.
P Divakar Reddy, a businessman of Hanumakonda in Warangal, said: “My family supported Congress in every elections in the past. But we don’t like this alliance with TDP. We have all decided to vote for other parties.” K Rama Rao, a TDP worker, said it is very difficult to work with Congress in villages as there are several conflicts and disputes with the members of that party for several years.Meanwhile, several groups on WhatsApp are urging their respective communities not to vote for TDP and Congress.