The by-election in Huzurabad assembly constituency, which was expected to be held in September, is likely to get delayed further, as wished by Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
An indication to this effect was given by the Election Commission of India on Thursday in its letter to the presidents and general secretaries of all recognised national and regional parties of various states.
An official of the ECI pointed out that the commission had issued several guidelines, instructions and orders for campaigning during general election and by-elections in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
He said several bye-elections and general elections to the legislative assemblies of five states are due in 2021-22.
As such, the commission has desired to seek the views of the political parties on the conduct of the elections in view of the Covid-19 situation.
The EC asked the parties to furnish their views and suggestions latest by August 30, 2021 so that exhaustive guidelines in this matter could be prepared on the conduct of elections.
It was initially believed that the notification for the by-poll to Huzurabad assembly seat would be issued by August end and the elections would be held in September.
But with the EC asking the opinions of the parties by August 30, it is evident that no such notification is likely to be issued till the second or third week of September, because it is linked to the elections in other states. It means the by-election is unlikely to be held before mid-October.
There were reports that the TRS government is planning to submit a report to the Centre on the increasing Covid-19 positive cases in Karimnagar district which covers Huzurabad as well, so as to get the by-election postponed.
The EC’s letter has now come as a blessing in disguise for the TRS.
