HYDERABAD: Even before the party is launched officially at a much-awaited public meeting here on April 29, the Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) is learnt to be making moves to narrow down the list of prospective and strong candidates for the 2019 elections and is in the process of identifying candidates in at least 30 Assembly constituencies.
According to sources, TJAC chairman M Kodandaram is in touch with some of the identified candidates and has held discussions with them. “We will select candidates who had taken active part in the Telangana agitation and also those who have a good image,’’ a leader said.
Sources close to the TJS leadership said that the 30 constituencies are spread across the five erstwhile districts. “Thought the list of candidates will be ready by April 29, we may not announce their names. The exercise of identifying potential candidates in other constituencies will continue but the finalisation will be a little delayed as some sitting MLAs (of ruling party) and some top leaders are likely to join the TJS,’’ the leader said.
“All the 30 constituencies identified so far are being swept by a strong anti-incumbency wave and the wind is blowing against the sitting MLAs and the ruling party. We are narrowing down on leaders who participated in the Telangana movement,’’ the source said. In identifying the party’s candidates well in advance, the TJS is selecting the constituencies where TRS leaders, who did not take active part in the agitation for statehood but joined the party just before the elections in 2014, but are enjoying power now. “The party is identifying leaders who took active part in the movement for fielding them in elections next year,’’ the source said.