Slum-dwellers may tilt the scales here

For thousands in this constituency, ‘Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan’ is the issue of foremost concern

HYDERABAD: Should a new person be elected to represent us or we keep the faith on the tried and tested one?

This dilemma will surely haunt voters in the newly carved Jubilee Hills constituency, formed after delimitation, in this election. For the thousands of slum-dwellers in this constituency, ‘Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan’ still continues to be an issue of foremost concern.

Families in the hutments of Borabanda, Rehmatnagar, Karmikanagar and Vaddera Basthi in this constituency yearn for improved facilities in basic amenities, education and living conditions. Residents in the highly educated upper middle class localities like Srinagar Colony have social security and jobs on their mind.

Advantage Vishnu?

With poll campaigning by the Grand Alliance of TDP, TRS and Left parties and Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam yet to begin, the Congress workers believe that they have a head start with P.Janardhan Reddy’s son Vishnuvardhan Reddy being chosen by the party high command. Electors here are yet to personally meet Humayun, whose name was announced by Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi.

With Greater Hyderabad Telugu Desam Party president K. Vijayrama Rao reportedly preferring to contest from Khairatabad, residents are yet to get a clear picture about the candidate from the Grand Alliance. Parts of the constituency are already witnessing campaigning by supporters of Mr. Vishnuvardhan Reddy.

The perception that this constituency has less voter turnout could change this time due to the presence of large number of voters from slums. The late P. Janardhan Reddy still has a big reputation here and this could translate into votes for his son.

Lok Satta confident

However, Lok Satta candidate G. Pratibha Rao hopes to put up a good fight. “We are asking public to vote for change. We have good support from the middle class. We were second in the Khairatabad by-polls and we will improve on it. We are disappointed that large number of middle class families are yet to get EPIC cards,” she said.