Talasani to lead TRS to power in GHMC polls

Hyderabad, Dec 23 (INN): Newly inducted minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav is on a new mission to bring Telangana Rashtra Samithi to power the next elections of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

According to sources, Talasani has been directed by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to focus his attention on winning the next GHMC polls. In order to achieve the goal, Talasani began wooing ex-corporators of GHMC belonging to different parties.

So far, Talasani spoke to at least 17 ex-corporators of Telugu Desam Party and Congress. Promising of them re-nomination as candidate from the divisions of their choice, the minister has reportedly offerred them to join the TRS.

The former corporators who were reportedly consulted by Talasani include N Seshakumar, K Sadashiva Yadav, G Rajamouli and Neelam Rajender of TDP and Avula Satyanarayana, C Sunitha and B Raju Yadav of Congress party. However, it is not yet known whether or not those ex-corporators have given their consent to join the TRS.

Talasani was elected on TDP ticket from Sanathnagar Assembly constituency in 2014 general elections. However, he has resigned from his seat an hour before taking oath as minister. Since, he has to face a by-election in the next few months, Talasani has intensified his efforts to strengthen the TRS in city.

According to sources, the TRS aims to win at least 100 seats in the next elections. As the GHMC is planning to create about 172 divisions in its limits, the TRS needs to win at least 82 seats if it plans to have its own mayor and deputy mayor.

Sources further said that the TRS was not keen on having any pre-poll alliance with the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM). TRS leaders believe that despite having seven legislators in the city, the MIM's influence in the GHMC limits is not widespread and is confined to maximum 60 divisions.

Therefore, the TRS wants to focus on remaining 110 seats. The TRS hopes to gain from the division of votes between the TDP-BJP combine, Congress, YSRCP, Lok Satta and other independent candidates.

Talasani has reportedly told the ex-corporators that funds would not be constraint in the development of Hyderabad if TRS wins the GHMC polls. According to sources, a few prominent leaders of others political parties may join the TRS in the third week of January.

There are indications that the GHMC polls may be conducted in the month of May next year after the GHMC completes the delimitation and reservation processes.