What TRS would gain from Kovur??

Taking everyone by surprise, Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief K Chandrasekhara Rao has indicated that he might field a candidate to contest the Kovur Assembly seat from Nellore district in the by-election.

‘We are considering a request to this effect from our party members. We will take a decision by Monday,’ he said.

The TRS chief made the revelation while referring to a request that had come to him from Andhra Rashtra Samiti (ARS) to campaign for its nominee in Kovur.

‘In fact, I have been invited to address a public meeting in Kovur in support of bifurcation of the state,’ he said. The logic behind contesting the Kovur bypolls, according to him, is: ‘I am sure no one will vote for us. I want to use this fact to our advantage in Telangana.

If no one votes for Telangana candidates in Andhra, why should voters in Telangana region vote for parties headed by Andhra leaders? I want this message to go to the people. Anyway,I will take a decision tomorrow,’ Rao said.
Chandrasekhar Rao is reportedly considering names of three leaders for the Kovur by-election. It is not very clear whether he is serious about fielding a candidate but if he does, it could turn into a law and order issue.

TDP candidate for the seat, Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, said Rao’s ploy was only to send a message that he had no ‘match-fixing’ with YS Jagan Mohan Reddy whose candidate N Prasanna Kumar Reddy had an edge over others.

The TDP leader said that as TRS candidate would not get votes, the fortunes of Prasanna Kumar Reddy would not be affected and, at the same time, Rao would convey the message that he had no ‘understanding’ with Jagan as was being said.

According to sources, ARS chief Pellakuru Surender Reddy sought KCR’s support but KCR is now planning to field either the ARS chief or his nominee as TRS candidate or extend support to them.

If they contest, there is a possibility of some votes coming Surender Reddy’s way from Prasanna Kumar Reddy’s vote bank but not enough to upset his prospects, the sources said.