Adilabad outcome rests on Adivasi, Lambada support

HYDERABAD: After a clear divide between Adivasis and Lambadas in Telangana, especially in Adilabad constituency, now all eyes are on which party will get the support of the two communities.
Three major parties — Congress, BJP and BRS — have given tickets to Adivasi community candidates, who are in majority in the ST reserved constituency. Lambada community, which are less in numbers when compared to Adivasis voters, and non-tribals are likely to play a key role in the elections and decide the fate of the candidates as Adivasi votes are divided among the three parties.

Congress fielded Atram Suguna, BJP gave the ticket to ex-MP Godam Nagesh and BRS fielded ex-MLA Atram Sakku, who all are Adivasis. The parties preferred Adivasis over Lambadas in view of majority population of Adivasis, a poll observer said. BJP’s Soyam Bapu Rao, belonging to the Adivasi community, got elected as an MP in the 2019 general elections, with a margin of 58,000 votes. The BJP denied ticket to him this time and announced the candidature of Godam Nagesh, BRS ex-MP, in this polls.
While the Congress is trying to grab the seat from BJP, the saffron party is making every effort to retain its seat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in Adilabad. The BRS is also trying to secure the seat from the BJP.
In 2023 assembly polls, of the seven assembly segments in Adilabad Lok Sabha limits, BJP won four seats — Nirmal, Adilabad, Sirpur and Mudhole, BRS got two seats Asifabad and Boath and Congress secured only Khanapur seat. Adilabad BJP MLA Payal Shankar has been made floor leader of the party in the assembly. The BJP is hopeful of retaining the Lok Sabha seat. But sitting MP Bapu Rao is conspicuous by his absence in the campaigning and the party leadership is trying to convince him.
The BRS is trying to regain its glory in Adilabad and hoping that apart from BRS votes, it is likely to get BSP votes with the joining of RS Praveen Kumar in the pink party.