Amberpet makes its electoral debut

Making its electoral debut, Amberpet Constituency has its own niche. Established with six municipal divisions of Amberpet, Bagh Amberpet, Barkatpura, Kacheguda, Tilaknagar and Nallakunta, the constituency was once a hub of educational institutions apart from shopping mall of the middle class.

Carved out from Himayatnagar constituency under delimitation, this constituency forms a major portion of the core area in the city while Himayatnagar division is now merged into Khairatabad constituency.

While the educated upper middle class segment dots Bagh Amberpet, Nallakunta and Barkatpura areas, the lower middle class and slum population have made Amberpet and Kacheguda localities as their home. Musi river flows through length and breadth of the constituency, residents literally shiver during rainy season as lack of retaining wall leads to inundation of several residential colonies abutting the river. This perhaps, is one serious problem that still haunts residents in the constituency.

The constituency constitutes 1, 91, 053 voters, including 98, 600 male and 92, 453 female voters. Minority voters are sizeable. Ever since Himayatnagar constituency went to elections in 1978, it has witnessed keen fight between stalwarts from different political parties.

Contesting on BJP’s ticket A. Narendra won thrice in 1983, 1985 and 1992 elections; Congress veteran leader V. Hanumanth Rao emerged triumphant in 1989 elections. TDP’s C. Krishna Yadav planted party presence by winning the 1994 elections. It was again G. Kishen Reddy, who re-established BJP regime in the constituency in the 2004 elections.

Even in the ensuing elections, the constituency is all set for an interesting electoral battle. While BJP is fielding its trump card in the form of sitting MLA G. Kishen Reddy, Congress party is nominating Corporation Minister, Mohd. Fareeduddin. Praja Rajyam and the Grand Alliance TDP, TRS and Left parties are yet to announce their candidates.

But even before the Grand Alliance could work on finalising the candidate, it is said, TDP and TRS party activists developed internal indifferences over supporting the high command’s decision.

It is also learnt that former Minister C. Krishna Yadav is aspiring for TDP’s nomination and in case of denial, he is planning to contest independently.

Political pundits forecast an interesting fight this time. While Mr. Krishna Yadav is strong in Amberpet and Bagh Amberpet localities, Congress party candidate Fareeduddin will be banking on the nearly 40, 000 minority votes in Amberpet and Kacheguda areas. BJP’s Kishen Reddy is wooing voters highlighting developmental works taken up in the constituency during his tenure.