Hyderabad: Former MLA Danam Nagender challenged BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao to contest against him in the upcoming Khairatabad bypoll. Nagender issued the challenge while participating in the INDIA bloc’s Save Democracy rally.
Nagender said he remained fully prepared for the by-election and challenged KTR to enter the contest against him. He called for a direct political battle and said the election would settle the contest between the two sides.
The former MLA also asserted that Danam Nagender had become a brand in Khairatabad. Furthermore, he described the Khairatabad bypoll as a referendum on the performance of the government.
Khairatabad bypoll becomes a test amid SIR row
Meanwhile, Nagender criticised the Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He said protests against the SIR had gained participation from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, INDIA bloc MPs and large numbers of young people.
Nagender questioned the authority to restrict citizens’ voting rights. He also asked who had given Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar the authority to interfere with people’s right to vote.
In addition, Nagender said he would secure victory in the Khairatabad bypoll. He said the election would give his political opponents an appropriate lesson.
The Khairatabad bypoll has therefore emerged as a direct political contest, with Nagender openly challenging KTR to enter the race against him.