Ponnala, T-leaders in Delhi to finalise list of candidates

Party in a fix over finalising candidates for Sangareddy, Malkajgiri, Alampur, Uppal, Maheswaram, Rajendranagar and Musheerabad constituencies where the demand is heavy

Overcoming last-minute teething troubles on selection of candidates for the Assembly and Parliament constituencies, top guns of the Telangana Congress leaders left for Delhi to get the list cleared in a day or two.

Before leaving for Delhi, TPCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah held consultations with chairman of campaign committee C. Damodar Rajanarasimha and former Minister K. Jana Reddy to arrive at a consensus on contentious constituencies and the long list of candidates. They also discussed the possibility of an alliance with the CPI. A final call is likely to be taken by the central leadership keeping in mind the demands made by the CPI leadership.

It is understood that Mr. Lakshmaiah sought to assuage the feelings of some seniors, who are insisting that their aides and family members be considered for the tickets. Party sources said once they agreed on certain names, the senior leaders would sit with the Central election committee on Wednesday and Thursday to get clearance to the list.

Party in a fix

It is believed that in the first go at least 60 names are likely to the cleared. This includes majority of the sitting members barring four or five seats, who may miss the bus. At least over a dozen constituencies, where former Ministers and seniors lost the elections may also get the go ahead. It is learnt that party was in a fix over finalising the candidates for Sangareddy, Malkajgiri, Alampur, Uppal, Maheswaram, Rajendranagar and Musheerabad constituencies where the demand was heavy.

A senior TPCC functionary said that keeping in mind the heavy demand, the party may take a hard look at the demand by the senor leaders, who were keen that their children be considered.

They party might either consider these leaders or their children for the tickets, the senior leader remarked.

On the CPI demand, the party is in a bind as they have demand seats which are presently represented by the Congress MLAs.

If the party concedes the Nalgonda parliamentary constituency, Congress leadership has to show alternative seat to local MP Gutha Sukhender Reddy.

The assembly seats demanded by CPI in Karimnagar, Khammam and Nalgonda have generated considerable heat among the Congress leaders.

The party is expected to finalise the list by March 28, party sources said.