Wyra municipal polls see Congress infighting intensify
KHAMMAM: The Wyra municipal elections in Khammam district have turned into an internal battle within the Congress, with rival groups aligned to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy locking horns for control of the civic body.
Heavy nominations from rival Congress camps
Both factions filed a large number of nominations for ward member posts, resulting in intense multi-cornered contests across wards. After scrutiny, around 70 nominations remain valid, with more than three candidates in several wards. Congress leaders are now struggling to persuade candidates to withdraw nominations, a task that has become a major challenge ahead of the deadline.
Chairperson race adds to tension
The contest has intensified further due to the race for the municipal chairperson post. The post has been reserved for a general woman this term. Indumathi, wife of district Congress leader Puvvala Durga Prasad, is in the fray from the Bhatti Vikramarka camp. From the Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy camp, the wife of former DCC member Ramshekhar is contesting.
Although Congress leaders are proposing a power-sharing formula chairperson for, one faction and vice-chairperson for the other no consensus has been reached so far. Despite assurances of future opportunities, candidates are reluctant to withdraw from the race.
High-level efforts fail to break deadlock
Khammam Parliament constituency in-charge and minister Konda Surekha toured the district for three days and held coordination committee meetings in Wyra, urging nomination withdrawals. District Congress leaders, including the party president and senior functionaries, also stepped in, but the stalemate continues.
Both the Puvvala Durga Prasad and Ramshekhar families have strong political backgrounds, and their supporters remain firm, further complicating reconciliation efforts. Party leaders privately admit that the deadlock may persist unless senior ministers intervene directly.
BRS sees opportunity
Leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi say the Congress infighting could work to their advantage in Wyra. After the death of a former BRS MLA, the party cadre in the constituency weakened, with leadership tussles emerging. However, BRS leaders believe the ongoing Congress factionalism could help them regroup and gain politically in the municipal elections.
