Though the campaigning period for the upcoming by-election in Nagarjuna Sagar began just today, the leaders in Telangana have already started trading allegations in their attempts to mobilise support for their respective parties.
Speaking to the media, TRS leader and Energy Minister G Jagadish Reddy chose to lambast Congress candidate for the seat, senior leader K Jana Reddy, and claimed that the latter had done "nothing" for the people of the constituency.
"What has Jana Reddy done for the people of Nagarjuna Sagar? He could not even quench the thirst of the people. The only reason he has won any elections is because of the lack of strong contenders. During his long political career, Jana Reddy could not even manage to provide water to the people through the Rajavaram major of the Nagarjuna Sagar project's Left Canal. I wonder how he thinks people will still vote for him," Reddy thundered.
Reacting to Jana Reddy's challenge to his rivals to refrain from campaigning, he said, "The Congress leader then has the gall to say that he will not campaign for the seat and will still win. He has even dared candidates of the TRS and the BJP to do the same. Well of course Jana Reddy will not have much to say in a campaign as he has done precious little for the people of the constituency and the state. The statement has only revealed his own fear of an embarrassing defeat."
The minister then pointed out that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had blessed an educated and dynamic young leader, Nomula Bhagat, by giving him
an opportunity to serve the people of Nagarjuna Sagar, and that the people of the region would benefit under Bhagat's leadership.
"The constituency has been registering rapid development under the leadership of KCR. If Nomula Bhagat becomes MLA, this trend will surely continue," he added.