With only three days remaining until the closure of Lok Sabha election nominations on April 25th, the Congress party is experiencing internal turmoil over candidate selection for three crucial seats in Telangana. The party’s high command has yet to announce the names for Khammam, Hyderabad, and Karimnagar, causing uncertainty and tension among party leaders and cadre.
The Khammam seat, in particular, has witnessed intense jostling, with deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka and revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy vying for the ticket for their family members. Despite pressure from both leaders, sources indicate that the high command has nearly finalized a candidate and instructed them to support the chosen nominee. Former Warangal MP R Surender Reddy’s son, R Raghurami Reddy, has emerged as the likely choice.
In Karimnagar, party leader Velichala Rajender Rao has filed his nomination despite the absence of an official announcement from the high command. He was accompanied by transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who represents Karimnagar, adding to the confusion.
The Hyderabad seat has also seen a preemptive nomination filed by party leader Pulipati Rajesh Kumar, who hails from the Padmashali caste. The expectation is that the high command might reveal its nominees for the three pending seats later on Tuesday, ending the suspense that has gripped the party and the electorate.
