Tough fight ahead for Konda Surekha
Warangal: With Telangana Rashtra Samithi fielding Mooluguri Bhikshapathi for Parkal assembly by-election, YSR Congress Party nominee Konda Surekha was likely to face a tough competition in the by-election.
Bhikshapathi a native of Parkal and who was chosen by the TRS after hectic consultations and discussions was tipped to give some hard-hitting fight. He belongs to a backward community Munnurukapu (sub-caste ' Varalu) and has got a considerable following in the constituency.
Fifty seven-year-old Bhikshapathi has been in politics since 1970. He served Telugu Desam Party for about 18 years before jumping into TRS. He was with TRS since its founding years. He served as sarpanch, ZPTC members and zilla panchayat vice-chairman.
He contested for Parkal assembly seat in the year 2009 on TRS ticket and was defeated by 12,800 votes by Konda Surekha, who fought the polls on Congress ticket at that time.
He was able to secure 56,335 votes out of 1,47,753 votes polled in the election. Interestingly there has been much trepidation before the selection committee, headed by TRS leader Naini Narsimha Reddy, could announce his name as the party nominee.
Though his name was considered for the ticket along with the party district convener, P Sudarshan Reddy and senior advocate, M Sahodar Reddy, he was not given priority.
It might be noted that a couple of days ago, the TRS had seriously considered fielding a candidate belonging to forward caste and had finalised the name of Sahodar Reddy. But there was strong opposition over the choice.
The party cadre and some JACs including students actively campaigning in Parkal strongly objected to the decision. The party leadership in response decided to replace Sahodar Reddy with Bhikshapathi.
News Posted: 18 May, 2012
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