The YSR Congress leadership has kept the options on adopting and promoting an independent candidate in the Allagadda Assembly constituency open consequent on the death of its nominee Shoba Nagi Reddy.
The senior leader, four-time MLA from the constituency, succumbed to injuries she suffered in a ghastly road accident while returning from electioneering on Wednesday night.
The sudden development has landed the party in a piquant situation and the YSRC leadership, according to sources, has consulted legal experts on the course of action that should be adopted.
Seeking clarityThe party is seeking clarity on whether the name of the deceased will continue in the ballot or whether it will be removed.
In the event of her name being removed from the ballot, the party has to adopt an independent candidate along with the symbol allotted to him/her and launch campaign afresh to promote him/her as the party’s nominee.
“If her name is retained, there is no need to promote an independent candidate. We are keeping the options open, pending clarity from the Election Commission on the issue,” YSR Congress political affairs committee member said.
The party has to look for the better candidate among the independents in the fray who would work in line with the party’s requirements and adopt him/her.
Legal viewOnce the party gets required clarity from the EC and the legal view in the next couple of days, YSRC president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy is likely to call for a meeting of the political affairs committee to take stock of the situation.
“The party can take a call on the course to be adopted only after the EC clarifies the position,” the PAC member said.
Meanwhile, sources in the Election Commission told The Hindu that her name would be present in the ballot and the election process would continue as usual.
“In the event of the candidate securing majority in the election posthumously, bypoll will be held in the constituency in line with the rules,” a senior official said.
