In its continuing search for strong candidates to face the 17 disqualified MLAs, who were supporters of Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Congress has finalized the name of Gangula Pratapa Reddy against Shobha Nagi Reddy in Allagadda and Thota Trimurtulu against Pilli Subhashchandra Bose in Ramachandrapuram. It also finalized the names of Dharmana Ram Das in Narasannapet and Kottapalli Subba Rayudu in Narsapuram.
Shobha Nagi Reddy won the 2009 election as the PRP candidate. She has earlier represented TDP. After her election, she opposed PRP’s merger in Congress and resigned from the party, as well as her Assembly membership. Her resignation was accepted by Speaker Nadendla Manohar. The Congress has chosen Gangula Pratapa Reddy, as in the last election. He had lost with a slender difference.
However, Pilli Subhashchandra Bose is stated to be a stronger candidate than Thota Trimurtulu. However, Pilli, a former minister could not actively participate in the development programs in his constituency ever since Jagan quit the party and the Congress hopes that this would stand in good stead to it. (NSS)