Congress still in a dilemma over Khammam LS ticket

Hyderabad: With just two days to go for the filing of nominations for Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, the Congress party is yet to announce its candidate for the Khammam seat.

With family members of three ministers and some others aspiring for the ticket, the party leadership is finding it difficult to choose a nominee. The issue reached Bengaluru, where Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy reportedly met Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar on Monday.

The two ministers later also had separate meetings with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, who was in Bengaluru. Party sources said Kharge will take a final decision.

Bhatti Vikramarka’s wife Nandini and Srinivas Reddy’s brother Prasad Reddy are strong contenders for the ticket. Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao wants the ticket for his son Yugandhar. The minister, however, made it clear that he will abide by the decision of the party high command.

While both Srinivas Reddy and Nageswara Rao joined the Congress party before Assembly elections held in November 2023, Vikramarka is a senior leader, who has remained loyal to the Congress party over the years. Since Vikramarka’s brother Mallu Ravi is contesting as a Congress candidate from Nagarkurnool, a section of the party leaders are opposing ticket to another member of his family.

Former Warangal MP, R Surender Reddy’s son R Raghurami Reddy is also in the race. There is speculation in Congress circles that the party may also field former minister Mandava Venkateshwara Rao, who hails from Nizamabad District. As the majority of party leaders in Khammam are pressing for fielding a local candidate, the leadership is likely to allot ticket to Nandini or Prasad Reddy.