TDP fields vote-for-note candidate in GHMC poll

The TDP-BJP alliance is jointly fighting the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections, but the Central party continues to insist on a greater share than the agreed formula of 90:60 seats for contesting the GHMC polls. The BJP is strongly disputing the allocation of the prestigious Vengalarao Nagar seat to youth leader Pradeep Chowdhary who is involved in the vote-for-note case. The police have called him many times and interrogated him in connection with the case. The BJP is, therefore, demanding the seat to be allocated for them. At this point, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's son, Lokesh, entered the fray and persuaded the BJP to accept Pradeep Chowdhary as the TDP candidate. His intervention settled the matter for the time being. Pradeep Chowdhary has more than fair chances for winning the seat owing to the presence of sizeable number of settlers' votes in the constituency. The ruling TRS is also a strong contender for the seat and has started its campaign.