Sec’bad Cantt bypoll: Kin of nominees bolster campaign

Secunderabad: With poll fever palpable in the Secunderabad Cantonment, family members have turned star campaigners for candidates contesting the assembly by-poll to be held on May 13. With BRS giving Lasya Nivedita a ticket, her mother G Geetha, has jumped into campaign mode, going door-to-door urging voters to support her second daughter. The emotionally-wrought campaign has seen late MLA Sayanna’s wife actively participate. The by-poll was necessitated following the death of her other daughter Lasya Nandita, who had won the assembly polls held in 2023 with a thumping majority. Incidentally, when Sayanna was in the fray, it was his daughters who had assisted him in the campaign to ensure his victory.“My mother has decided to extend her support to my poll campaign. She is well known in the Cantonment. She used to interact with every voter when my father (Sayanna) was alive,” Nivedita told STOI. “There is a strong sentiment linked to our winning,’ she added. Recalling her previous role in elections, Nivedita said, “Even when my beloved sister, Lasya Nandita, contested the assembly polls, my mother and I toured the entire Cantonment assembly constituency extensively and she won. Now, as the third person from the same family, my mother has once again decided to put in all efforts to ensure my victory.” She launched her campaign two weeks ago. For BJP candidate Vamsha Tilak, who is contesting for the first time, his sons have joined the campaign trail. “After the nomination is filed, the poll campaign schedule will be prepared, including roadshows, door-to-door campaigns, rallies, and corner meetings. My two sons – a medical graduate and an engineering graduate – and party leaders will play a key role,” said Tilak. In fact, his spouse is a deputy DMHO and did not take part in her husband’s poll campaign owing to her position being that of a government official. Tilak who has been staying at Masab Tank has shifted his base to Picket in the Secunderabad Cantonment for the convenience of his campaign.Meanwhile, Sri Ganesh, contesting on a Congress ticket is being supported by his son. Though Ganesh contested the assembly elections held in 2023 on a BJP ticket, he was defeated by Sayanna’s daughter Nanditha. “My son, who is a graduate will assist me in the poll campaign. In the last assembly elections too he participated,” Ganesh said. He had started the campaign in the Cantonment soon after Congress announced the ticket.