Faced with a long list of aspirants for the Council tickets, the Congress leadership began scrutinising the list submitted by the Pradesh Congress Committee and scout for the right candidates for the five seats from the Assembly quota and four to be nominated by the Governor.
Kiran, Botcha meet Azad
An official announcement is likely late on Saturday night or Sunday morning. The last day of filing of nominations for the 10 vacancies from the Assembly and four to be nominated by the Governor is Monday, though the elections are slated on March 21.
Rush for tickets
There was a heavy rush from those seeking tickets and the list included the ‘who’s who’ in the Congress ranging from former Speakers, Ministers and legislators to PCC and DCC office bearers. Of the nine members retiring from the Council, three are Reddis, two each from SCs and Kapus, while one each are a Brahmin and Scheduled Tribe.
On arrival in New Delhi on Friday, the Chief Minister and the PCC chief met the AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad first and then drove with him to 10 Janpath to hold discussions with party president Sonia Gandhi.
18 names shortlisted
They presented her a list of 150 probables upon which she directed them to meet her political secretary Ahmed Patel and Mr. Azad for further consultations.
The list furnished by the PCC includes 96 from Telangana, 41 (Andhra) and 13 (Rayalaseema). It is understood that 18 names have been shortlisted for consideration.
List furnished
On Mr. Azad’s direction, the PCC chief furnished a list of aspirants with the regional, district and caste-wise equations.
Another list contained the names of the sitting MLCs, their caste, region and district representation.
Aspirants’ concern
Sources said though the party leaders were more concerned about rewarding the loyalists keeping in view the series of elections slated in the next few months, caste and regional equations may also play a key role in the selections.
Aspirants are worried that the party should announce the name on Saturday itself so that they file their nominations on Sunday instead of Monday, which happens to be Amavasya day.
