KHAMMAM: The poll scenario in the 100-year-old municipality of Khammam has all the trappings of a mini-general election. There are 238 candidates in the fray for 41 wards in this municipality, which is the last bastion of the CPI(M). But the Congress, which won the municipality in the last two elections, enjoys a stronger support base. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is contesting 40 wards, but is offering a serious challenge in only one-third of the seats.

Limited alliance

The Congress has a limited electoral understanding with the CPI(M) confined to 22 seats. The CPI, which is contesting in eight wards, is backed by one of the Congress groups.

The Congress polled 26,425 votes as against 24,482 by the TDP and 14,398 by the CPI(M) in the last municipal elections. But, the situation looks different this time.

The Congress rebels have been queering the pitch for its official nominees in 11 wards.

Advantage Congress

The ruling party enjoys a clear edge in Kothagudem municipality (BC-women reserved) mainly because of its adjustments with the CPI.

The CPI affiliated AITUC wields considerable clout among coal workers, who constitute nearly one fourth of the 53,294 electorate. The TDP is making serious efforts to regain its lost hold on the town.'

In Yellandu (SC reserved), the TDP, which has an electoral pact with the CPI, is expected to fare well. The TDP is contesting 15 of the 24 wards, thus leaving eight wards for the CPI.

The party is banking mainly on the developmental works implemented with an outlay of Rs. 12 crores in the town during the TDP regime. The Congress is facing serious threat from its rebels in as many as 24 wards.

Neck and neck

Sathupalli presents one of the interesting contests. It is almost a straight contest between the Congress and the TDPand the campaign is identified with the Congress MLA , Jalagam Venkata Rao, and the TDP leader, Tummala Nageswar Rao. Both sides have been putting all resources at stake in the civic body where the chairman will be from the scheduled tribes. It is a neck and neck race in the 20 wards.

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