Medak: Backed by youth power, Congress tries to upset BRS' apple cart

Medak: Lack of jobs, failure to conduct Telangana State Public Service Commission group exams, increasing liquor addiction in youth, and failure to provide minimum support prices for crops are the key issues dominating Medak. It is a tough fight between Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Congress.

A tough fight

BRS has fielded M Padma Devender Reddy who is a known face in Medak district. She is quite popular among senior citizens and middle-aged aged to help them reap the benefits of the various BRS schemes.

Rohit Rao is popular among the youth as his non-government organization has worked on the ground level and provided medical relief during Covid 19. At the same time, those who are in distress are being supported by his organization.

Bharatiya Janta Party ‘s P Vijay Kumar is yet to make a mark

Mahesh Kumar, a hotelier says, “Medak is seeing a very tough fight. People are divided. BRS loyalists don’t want to support Rohit Rao who left the party. There is anger against him. On the other hand, three municipal corporators of the Congress have resigned as they don't support Rohit Rao. There is a lot of anger in the Congress cadre who are not working for him in this election campaign.”

Angry Congress cadre

Congress cadres are very angry as they can’t come to terms with Rohit Rao whom they opposed tooth and nail. A Congress leader said, “Before he switched to Congress, Mynampally Rohit Rao put up flexes across Medak and said that he is contesting from Medak. Those were with pink car symbols. We have opposed him as he does not have the DNA of the Congress party. Why TPCC has chosen him is not understood by us?”

Angry Congress leaders and party workers who worked in Medak for the last 10 years are now not to be seen in public life as they don't support Rohit Rao.

Medak’s development stalled

People of Medak are upset as they allege that the development of the district was stalled as the money was utilized in the development of Siddipet. This sidelining of the district has a deep impact on the people who feel that they have been let down by the BRS government. Medak Church which is one of the biggest tourist destinations has a huge inflow of people. However, the area surrounding the church doesn’t have facilities. This is taking away an opportunity to create infrastructure and jobs for the people of the area.

Anger in youth

Youth are very angry because the government has failed to keep its promise of providing jobs. “Where is the promise of providing government jobs?” asked a group of youth who are working on a commission basis with rice millers.

“We have completed our studies but the group exams are being postponed. Why?” asked B Yadaiah, a student who is now working as a farm laborer for the paddy harvesting season.

Increased liquor consumption

Women complain that there is increased liquor consumption as the belt shops have mushroomed in the area. Due to this reason, there are four to seven drink-and-drive cases every month.

Renuka Raju, a grocery shop owner says, “I lost my young son as he got addicted to liquor. He would drink and drive. The government is supporting liquor shops and there is very little control.”

In the 6 mandals and 4 villages of Medak, women are demanding that the liquor shops be closed.

Weighing the benefits

The middle-aged and senior citizens argue that benefits provided by the BRS government have been ‘unique in nature’ and those will continue only if the government continues. Despite guarantees given by the Opposition Congress party, few takers in this district want a ‘local face’ to solve their ‘local problems’.