After an arduous exercise, the Congress high command has finalized names of five candidates for the Legislative Council. They are: former minister Shabbir Ali from Nizamabad district, sitting member Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy from Khammam district, Santhosh Kumar from Karimnagar, Lakshmi Sivakumari from East Godavari district and Kolagatla Veerabhadra Swamy from Vizianagaram district. However, no official announcement was made in this respect.
Speaking to the media here on Sunday, PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana said no decision was taken on the sixth candidate. The decision might be announced on Monday, he said, adding that the candidates were selected keeping in view all the regions and sections in the State.
Apart from these five members, Kantheti Satyanarayana, Bharati Naik, Kamalakar Rao, Rajani Reddy, Kanukula Janardhan, Vani Rao, K. Srinyagi, Madasu Gangadharam were in the MLC race. Several aspirants, who landed in Delhi a few days ago, pleaded their cases before Central leaders. Bharati Ragya Naik met the PCC president on Sunday and discussed about her candidature. Speaking to the media later, Bharati said Botcha remained tightlipped on her candidature. Similarly, Shabbir Ali met Botcha Satyanarayana and Endowments Minister C. Ramachandraiah.
Barring Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, the Congress high command did not give chance to the old faces. Sources said the selections were made after taking into account the regions, social and political issues. The party also ignored aspirants who failed to work for the party, leaving party and returning home later and so on. (NSS)
