With the TRS party leadership hinting at the possibility of replacing some sitting public representatives in the next elections, leaders have begun efforts to secure tickets and closeting with the party cadre.
With the elections drawing closer, sitting MLA B. Shankar Naik and MP A. Sitaram Naik reportedly held a meeting recently with Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari at Mr. Shankar Naik’s residence in Hanamkonda along with their supporters to ensure that they get the party tickets again.
Reports suggest that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had conducted a survey to gauge the performance of sitting public representatives, which showed voters were unhappy with the performance of some MLAs.
He had hinted that it was necessary to replace some sitting MLAs for the party to retain seats in the elections.
According to party sources, the survey rated performance of MLAs B. Shankar Naik (Mahabubabad), M. Yadagiri Reddy (Jangaon) and some others as poor, with their chances of winning again said to be difficult.
Former MLA Maloth Kavitha, who joined TRS from Congress, is speculated as an alternative contender for the Assembly, while former Excise department officer Bhanoth Mohan Lal is aspiring for the Parliament ticket. Additional SP of Medak D. Nagaraj is also said to be interested to contest on the ruling party’s ticket for either the Assembly or the Parliament. Both Ms. Kavitha and Mr. Mohan Lal have been touring the district and have claimed they were sure of being given the ruling party’s tickets in the elections.
Shaken at the developments, Mr. Shankar Naik and Mr. Sitaram Naik requested Mr. Srihari to convince the Chief Minister to retain them, sources said.
Mr. Srihari also held a meeting with prominent district cadre to assess the situation.
