Political parties gear up for Warangal LS by-poll

As the notification for by-election to Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha constituency was issued today, TRS, Congress and the TDP-BJP combine were gearing up for the prestigious electoral battle scheduled for November 21. Amid speculation that she would join the ruling TRS, TDP Rajya Sabha member from Telangana G Sudharani today met party president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao who is on a visit to Delhi. Sudharani praised the development initiatives of the TRS government. "The main intention of today's meeting with him (Rao) is the development he is doing in Telangana, whether it is Water Grid, Mission Kakatiya or making Warangal as a smart city...," Sudharani, who hails from Warangal district, said. It was not clear about her joining the TRS. NDA allies TDP and BJP have already held consultations on choosing a right candidate and other issues to put up a tough fight. Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy said the NDA would decide its candidate after taking a look at the rivals' strategy. An NDA MP would help Warangal achieve rapid progress as the victory of either TRS or Congress would make no difference, he said. Meanwhile, Telangana Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy was in Delhi to hold talks with party leadership on the selection of candidate. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is November 7 and the counting of votes would be taken up on November 24.