"Instead saying that I was an integrationist and trying to provoke people, they (TRS) should debate on development, on what I can do (for development)," Jayaprakash Reddy, popularly known as Jagga Reddy, told reporters here.
The bypoll, scheduled for September 13 was necessitated with the resignation of TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao after he became Telangana Chief Minister.
The by-election is witnessing a multi-cornered contest among candidates of BJP-TDP combine, ruling TRS and main opposition Congress.
TRS is keen on retaining the seat as it was vacated by its president, which is also his native district. The ruling party has fielded K Prabhakar Reddy in the bypoll.
Meanwhile, Congress will try to salvage its prestige by winning the bypoll. Former minister V Sunita Laxma Reddy is the Congress candidate in the election.