Unmindful of pressure from local leaders to contest at least 10 seats if not many out of 150 GHMC seats going to polls on Feb 2, YSR Congress Party Chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy today decided not to contest.
Probably the YCP walked out of the poll fray to extend indirect support to the TRS and oppose its rival of Telugu Desam which has truck with the BJP.
The YSRC announced its withdrawal from the civic poll fray as its focus is on strengthening itself in the GHMC limits.
According to reliable sources, Jagan curtly refused to contest. Though the YCP had an idea to field its candidates, Warangal byepoll result, poor strength in the twin cities, have forced it to abstain from the contest.
Also it is said that the YSRC is offering indirect support to the ruling party, as was being propagated by the Congress and other parties.
Party’s Telangnaa chief Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said that they need to strengthen the party first. He also alleged that the ruling TRS, Telugu Desam and BJP combine and Congress are taking the polls as prestigious and ready to spend huge money to win the polls.
The TRS did not contest 2009 civic polls and now trying its best to defeat others to get power in the civic body, Srinivas Reddy said.
"We will fight for the cause of the people and focus on strengthening the party at all the wards," he said.
He also recalled that the then Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy made efforts for Telangana development and implemented many welfare schemes like fees reimbursement, free power to agriculture and 108 ambulance services at a phone call away.
"We will develop our party with rank and file from grass-root level to become a major political party in Telangana in future", he added.
