Telangana-Congress1.jpg” class=”attachment-large size-large wp-post-image” alt=”Telangana Congress” />Telangana Congress: Lok Sabha election notification in Telangana will be released in next two days. Acceptance of nominations will start from April 18. As there are good moments in the first two days, the candidates are making preparations for filing nominations. BJP and BRS have already announced tickets for 17 seats. The ruling Congress has finalized candidates for only 14 seats. Karimnagar, Khammam and Hyderabad tickets are still undecided. As the candidates in these three constituencies are not known, the campaign has not even started. While BJP and BRS are campaigning in 17 seats, Congress is campaigning in only 14 seats.
All eyes on Karimnagar..
The ruling Congress is counting on the MP ticket of Karimnagar, which is known as the cradle of movements and a key in North Telangana. Congress leaders have already met four or five times on the selection of candidates for the three seats. But, still could not decide. On April 14, CM Revanth Reddy discussed with Congress National General Secretary KC Venugopal and party state in-charge Deepadas Munshi.
Competition between the two
Former Husnabad MLA Algireddy Praveen Reddy and another former MLA Velichala Jagapathi Rao's son Velichala Rajender Rao are contesting for the Karimnagar MP ticket. But both belong to the upper caste, one is the leader of the Reddy community and the other is the leader of the Velama community. As a result, they are unable to decide who should be given the ticket. On the other hand, CM Revanth Reddy is expected to bring BC into the ring. If tickets are given to the upper castes, it is expected that the votes will be split between BRS and Congress, and BC candidate Bandi Sanjay, who is contesting from BJP, will benefit. However, the absence of a strong BC leader here has become a minus for the party. The Congress leadership thinks that if a non-local is given a ticket, it will send a wrong signal.
Inclination towards 'Velichala'..
It seems likely that Velichala Rajender Rao, who belongs to the Velama community, will be given the MP ticket. Local Minister Ponnam Prabhakar is also supporting Rajender Rao. At first he supported Praveen Reddy. But it seems that he has dropped out of the contest as there was an opportunity to give him MLC. With this, Congress hopes to bring down Rajender Rao in the ring. It is reported that it will be announced in a day or two. Rajender Rao has already made arrangements to organize a big campaign once the ticket is finalised.
Like this in Khammam..
The CM had earlier asked Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi to contest from Khammam. But KC Venugopal clarified that Priyanka has no chance of contesting. Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka's wife and minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy's brother Prasad Reddy are hoping for a ticket from here.
