Hyderabad: The top leaders of all major parties, especially the TRS, are caught in a dilemma these days.
On one hand, they have senior leaders insisting tickets be given to their relatives, while on the other, party workers who have remained loyal through thick and thin wait, hoping their time has come.
G. Vijayalaxmi, daughter of TRS secretary-general K. Kesava Rao was the first name to surface in the ruling family dominated TRS and there is talk that in case she gets the ticket for Banjara Hills division and wins, she may be a cinch for the mayor’s post.
However, Vijaya Reddy, daughter of former CLP leader P. Janardhan Reddy is reportedly insisting on the Banjara Hills ticket. Party leaders are trying to convince her to contest from Khairtabad division and leave the seat to Ms Vijayalaxmi.
Sons, daughters, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law and other relatives of top TRS and other leaders are seeking tickets, it is learnt.
With half the seats reserved for women, leaders are trying to push their wives, daughters, daughters-in-law, sisters and other relatives, leaving the leadership of various parties in a fix.
Home minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy’s son-in-law Srinivas Reddy is seeking Ramnagar ticket, MLA Sayanna’s daughter Lasya Nandita wants the Monda Market or Addagutta ticket, Teegala Krishna Reddy is keen his daughter-in-law Anita Reddy contests from RK Puram, Manda Jagannadham wants brother Venkat Kumar fielded from Kurmaguda, Chintala Kanaka Reddy is pitching for daughter-in-law Vijayashanti from Alwal, Mukesh Goud is pushing son Vikram Goud for Jambhagh and so on.
“Those who stood by the party during thick and thin are angry over entry of kin of leaders for tickets. Party leadership should give ticket to genuine party worker and not impose their candidates on us,” said a TRS leader at Telangana Bhavan.
“The CM and leaders looking after elections have made it clear that seniority, service to party, winnability, a clean record etc. are the main criteria. They are getting survey reports and tickets would be given to the best among the lot,” a senior TRS leader said.
