Conduct Hyderabad corporation polls immediately: Telangana BJP

HYDERABAD: Slamming the TRS government in Telangana for not conducting elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation ( GHMC) on time, BJP today demanded that local body polls in the city be held immediately.

"GHMC elections are due in October-November (this year). It is not clear to anyone when they will be held. There is no clue on Warangal and Khammam corporation polls as well. The previous government organised local body polls (elsewhere) in a hurry.

"At least, this government should strengthen local body polls by giving funds and through other measures," Telangana BJP president and MLA G Kishan Reddy told reporters.

He alleged that the government postponed the elections for fear of losing in Hyderabad.

"Why did you postpone the GHMC polls? Why are you not conducting. Is it because the ruling party does not have strength in GHMC and fears losing in Hyderabad. The ruling party is encouraging defections (in Hyderabad) to improve its strength. Would you postpone till your defection is complete," he said.

He cautioned that central funds would not come if local body polls are not held on time.

He demanded that GHMC polls be conducted immediately and the government also announce elections for Khammam and Warangal corporations.

Pointing out that 15 per cent of Telangana's population lives in Hyderabad, he said the state government needs to consult all parties regarding any major policy decision concerning the city.

Reddy said the BJP would make efforts to emerge as a major force in Telangana by 2019, when the next Assembly and Lok Sabha polls would be held.

Telangana tops the seven states (in the South and East) identified by the BJP where it aims to emerge as a formidable force, he said.

The BJP leader alleged that the names of many eligible beneficiaries have been removed from the list of social security pensions.