Kavitha launches graduate MLC poll campaign, urges voters to challenge ruling and opposition parties

Hyderabad: Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) chief Kalvakuntla Kavitha launched her campaign for the graduate MLC elections, describing the polls as an opportunity to question both the ruling party and the opposition. She began the campaign in Banjara Hills after organising prayers involving representatives of different faiths. She also applied ceremonial tilak to her party candidates and sought blessings for them.

Addressing the gathering, Kavitha said graduates needed to recognise their collective strength and raise questions about issues affecting them. She cited an estimated 80 lakh degree holders in Telangana and said elections were being held across 75 constituencies, covering nearly 75 per cent of the state.

She urged every eligible graduate to enrol as a voter and exercise the franchise. In addition, Kavitha appealed to women to ensure that their husbands registered to vote. She said graduates needed to reject the perception that voters accepted money in exchange for their votes.

Kavitha said she firmly believed that educated people entering politics could bring changes to the system.

Graduate MLC elections focus on representation and public issues

Kavitha criticised the Congress and BJP, alleging that the ruling party dominated both the Assembly and Legislative Council. She claimed that half of the BRS members had joined the Congress and alleged an understanding between the two parties and the BJP. According to her, the Legislative Council lacked an effective opposition.

She also targeted the BJP, saying voters had an opportunity to teach the party a lesson after electing it three times without seeing results. Kavitha alleged that the Chief Minister had spoken about spending Rs 200 crore to ensure victory for Congress candidates. She said the remark reflected the government’s belief in using money to win elections.

Her party would question the government’s failures and alleged betrayals, Kavitha said. She cited fee reimbursement and river water issues as matters on which her party had been fighting.

Kavitha said her party had demonstrated its commitment to social justice through candidate selection. Both TRS candidates belonged to Backward Classes, she said. One had studied at Kakatiya University, while the other had attended Osmania University.

She identified candidate Akash Kolluri as belonging to the BC Kumari community. No political party had previously given the community such an opportunity, she said. The party had selected educated young candidates without political backgrounds or wealth, she added.

Although the Hyderabad seat was expected to go to a woman, Kavitha said the party chose Akash to prioritise BC representation. She also announced that women would receive 30 to 50 per cent of seats in general constituencies, irrespective of reservation categories.

Kavitha said the Election Commission had recognised her party. Its lawyers were discussing the remaining formalities with the commission, she added. She said the party would seek support from all like-minded political groups and continue its campaign until its candidates secured victory.