AICC forced to pick Sarve, originally named by TPCC

TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy appraised AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh about the developments in Warangal and suggested changing the candidate for the Lok Sabha bypoll as there were still a few hours before the deadline.

Meanwhile Mr Satyanarayana, a former MoS in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet, who was twice elected as MP from Siddipet and Malkajagiri, rushed to Warangal and filed his papers before the 3 pm deadline. Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy, who had already reached Warangal with a blank ‘B’ form, filled Mr Satyanarayana’s name and submitted it to the returning officer.

Meanwhile, after the fire incident, Mr Rajaiah emerged crying from his house in Warangal and informed local Congress leaders Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy, Donti Madhava Reddy and others that he could not contest the election and asked them to convey the same to Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy.

Ironically, Mr Sarve Satyanarayana had insisted that he be given the party ticket and the panel sent by the TPCC chief to the party bosses in Delhi also contained his name. However, the AICC decided to repeat Mr Rajaiah’s candidature for the third time in a row since 2009.

But Wednesday’s incident forced the party high command to opt for Mr Satyanarayana whom they consider will be able to sail through the likely criticism against the party during the campaign.

Leader of Opposition in Assembly, K. Jana Reddy told newspersons that the incident in Mr Rajaiah’s house would not impact the Congress’ prospects.

At a meeting held at the party headquarters on Wednesday, TD central committee general secretary Revuri Prakash Reddy, TS TD president L. Ramana and other leaders took stock of the situation and decided to give charge of each of the seven Assembly constituencies that come under the Lok Sabha constituency to leaders of nine district units (other than Warangal). Warangal East and West constituencies will have an additional in-charge.

Mr Prakash Reddy said TD was fully committed to supporting the BJP nominee.