K Chandrasekhar Rao likely to swap Aroori Ramesh, Deputy CM’s seats

Hyderabad: It is said that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao now wants to swap the seats of Wardhannapet MLA Aroori Ramesh and Dy Chief Minister and Warangal MP Kadiam Srihari.

Though the new Dy CM went on record soon after his swearing-in-ceremony on Sunday that he will be accommodated as an MLC to remain in the post, sources said that the CM is now thinking of asking both the MLA and MP to swap their seats. This will eventually lead to bypolls.

After weighing the pros and cons of various possible contestants for the Warangal Lok Sabha seat, the CM seems to have zeroed in on the name of Aroori Ramesh, the sitting MLA from Wardhannapet.

His Assembly segment falls within the Warangal Lok Sabha constituency. However, the latest decision seems to have not been communicated either to Mr Srihari or Mr Ramesh.

“It would be nice for a senior leader and an experienced minister like Mr Srihari to contest in a direct election, rather than become an MLC. Soon the CM will communicate his plan to both the leaders,” said a party source.

Sources said since both the constituencies are reserved for SCs it would not be much difficult for the TRS to win both.

Sources also said that the Chief Minister had implemented his decision of sacking Dr T Rajaiah on Sunday, though he had taken the decision three days prior to that.

There was a suggestion from one of his close confidants that it would not be proper for the CM to dismiss the Dy CM instead of seeking resignation.

Mr Rao turned down the suggestion claiming that he did not want a situation where the resigned minister would get an opportunity to offer his explanation.