Medak LS by-poll: Cong troubles far from over SANGAREDDY: Congress party is wading through troubled waters in capturing the prestigious Medak Parliament segment, which it had represented nine times in the past, since it was created. The party has not even a single representation from the Assembly segments under the Medak Lok Sabha constituency.
The party, which got defeated in the general elections, with Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao emerging victorious with a record majority of votes, is hoping to regain the lost ground, now that byelection to the Parliament seat was announced following KCR's resignation.
However, the grand old party is facing troubles even in shortlisting the candidates to contest the byelection, given the internal differences in the party.
Moreover, several leaders of the party are reluctant to contest in view of the thumping majority the ruling TRS got in the recent elections and the district being the home district of the TRS chief. Also, funds to the tune of `10-15 crore are needed to be spent for the elections.
With state leadership of the party failing to come out with a list of probable candidates, the party high command had got into the act and dispatched AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh to sort out issues and shortlist candidates.
The Congress veteran got into the act and held a brainstorming session with important leaders of the party. It is learnt that the party had first thought of fielding former Union minister S Jaipal Reddy, who had politely refused the offer.
Even former deputy CM Damodhara Rajanarasimha and his wife Padmini Reddy had reportedly declined when the offer was made to them. Though the name of former government whip T Jayaprakash Reddy came for discussion, it was dropped following objections from some important leaders of the party.
Now, the candidature of former minister V Sunita Lakshma Reddy, who had represented Narsapur Assembly Constituency in the past, is likely to be finalised.
Reasons for her choice, according to party sources, is her non-controversial image and good rapport with all the party leaders in the district. Though she is reluctant, she is reported to have said she will do what the party high command asks.
News Posted: 25 August, 2014
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