HYDERABAD: The Congress has strategically accommodated several prominent leaders, who have been vying for party tickets to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in various nominated posts, including Rajya Sabha membership, chairmanship of the State Finance Commission and as the state government’s representatives in Delhi.
Prominent among them are Renuka Chowdhury, who aspired for Khammam ticket, Anil Kumar Yadav from Secunderabad, Mallu Ravi from Nagarkurnool and Sircilla Rajaiah from Warangal.
While Renuka Chowdhury and Anil Kumar Yadav secured nomination to the Rajya Sabha, the party ensured that former MP Sircilla Rajaiah assumed the position of State Finance Commission chairman and Mallu Ravi was appointed as the state government representative in Delhi.
These calculated appointments have significantly reduced the competition in Khammam, Warangal, Nagarkurnool, and Secunderabad Lok Sabha seats, where the party is facing challenges in overriding their candidacies.
The party has also initiated efforts in strengthen its presence in the Hyderabad region, encompassing Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri, and Chevella Lok Sabha segments.
Recent inductions into the party include Vikarabad ZP chairperson Patnam Sunitha Reddy, who is reportedly being considered as a potential candidate for the Chevella Lok Sabha segment. Additionally, former Hyderabad mayor Bonthu Rammohan also joined the grand old party. If sources are to be believed he is likely to be fielded against State BJP chief and Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy. The Congress is also weighing the option of fielding Sama Rammohan Reddy, a youth leader, against Kishan Reddy.
The party is also deliberating on fielding SA Sampath in Nagarkurnool and Addanki Dayakar in Warangal. According to sources, the Congress is planning to field one woman, one Madiga and one Mala candidate in the three SC-reserved segments.
The party is contemplating fielding fresh faces in Khammam, Malkajgiri, Bhongir, Peddapalli and Adilabad segments. Senior leader and MLC T Jeevan Reddy is reportedly eyeing a ticket to contest either from Nizamabad or Karimnagar.