Announcement of local body election dates soon: TPCC chief

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud hinted at the possibility of conducting local body elections anytime now, stating that they would soon discuss the issue with the party high command before taking a call on the election dates. He also said that the party would announce the names of the presidents of the District Congress Committee (DCC).

In an informal talk with mediapersons at Gandhi Bhavan here on Wednesday, Mr. Mahesh Kumar said that party senior leaders, including the ministers, would sit down and talk in two or three days and move forward with regard to the local body polls, as the High Court directed the State government to inform the decision on polls by November 24, when it proposed to conduct the rural local body elections.

He, however, accused the BJP-led Central government of obstructing the State government’s attempts to offer 42% reservations to Backward Classes (BC) in the local body polls, adding that the party would, however, offer 42% reservation to BCs on the party’s behalf.

Regarding the Jubilee Hills bypoll, Mr. Goud said that they would win the seat for sure. He added that the victory would create a positive atmosphere for the Congress. “Congress will remain in power for 10 years,” he said.

Expressing concern over the poor polling percentage, Mr. Goud said, “The polling percentage should have increased. Urban voters, particularly youth, should come forward and vote.”

He also dismissed all the accusations of the BRS with regard to the bypoll, saying that BRS had resorted to fake surveys through paid YouTube channels in the Jubilee Hills byelection. On rumours about his induction into the Cabinet, the MLC said that he had never vied for a position.