TRLD's K Dilip Kumar Withdraws MLC Nomination

Former MLC K Dilip Kumar, who had submitted his nomination papers as a candidate of the Telangana Rashtriya Lok Dal (TRLD) for the upcoming MLC elections in the Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahabubnagar graduates' constituency, today withdrew his nomination.

The decision was announced after he joined the BJP in the presence of Telangana BJP head Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

Speaking on the matter, the leader said that he was extending his support to the BJP candidate for the seat, N Ramachander Rao. He also said that he had withdrawn his candidature following a personal request made to him by the BJP chief.

"Bandi Sanjay had made a personal visit to my office and urged me to withdraw my nomination form. I have done so, and have decided to extend my support to the BJP candidate for the seat, Ramachander Rao," Kumar said.

He then lashed out at Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, and alleged that the latter was a "cruel" leader. He also alleged that the CM was an "opportunist" who was now linking himself with the legacy of former Prime Minister late P V Narasimha Rao for electoral gains even though the former PM was a "pro-AP" leader, firmly against the bifurcation of the state.

"In a bid to garner votes from Narasimha Rao's loyalists, and to split the Brahmin vote bank, KCR has decided to field the former PM's daughter, Surabhi Vani Devi, from the Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahabubnagar seat. Despite all his tricks, the TRS government is not going to be able to retain power in Telangana, however. His reign of misrule and corruption is nearing its end. Very soon, regulatory bodies will launch investigations into all his scams," Kumar claimed.

Meanwhile, two other candidates, Parvatha Malla Reddy, and Lakshminarayana Suthari, also withdrew their nominations for the seat.

Following the withdrawals, the number of candidates contesting for the seat is now 93.