Hyderabad: BJP leaders are clamouring for Lok Sabha tickets in the state though scheduled general elections are two years away.They are confident that the “Modi wave” will prevail even in the 2019 general elections and they will easily romp home.
Some even dream of becoming Union ministers like Bandaru Dattatreya.Sources in the BJP say that several leaders have already thrown in their hat for various Lok Sabha constituencies and the race for tickets is growing intense by the day.
Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency, presently represented by Mr Dattatreya is the most sought-after. Among the aspirants are TS BJP president K. Laxman, BJP Floor leader in the Assembly G. Kishan Reddy and BJP national general-secretary P. Muralidhar Rao.
Another constituency in demand is the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency which is being eyed by MLC N. Ramachander Rao, MLA N.V.S.S. Prabhakar etc. The reason? It has a sizable Brahim population! Senior BJP leader Baddam Balreddy is eyeing the Chevella seat while Indrasena Reddy is keen on Bhuvanagiri or Malkajgiri.
Among the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in TS, BJP’s focus is on 10, including the ones the party had won in the past and the ones like Medak, Karimnagar, Mahbubnagar and Hanamkonda, where it fancies its chances.
The BJP is also trying to make inroads into Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency presently represented by MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and win it using the “Uttar Pradesh model”.
Nalgonda, Bhuvanagiri, Adilabad, Khammam and others are also on the party’s radar.“BJP wants to focus on both Lok Sabha and Assembly seats for the 2019 polls. To ensure Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins a second term and achieve two-thirds majority, BJP needs Lok Sabha seats. The party is confident of a huge win in the 2019 general elections,” a senior BJP leader told DC.
He added, “Almost all senior leaders, including legislators are now eyeing Lok Sabha seats. Some even dream of Cabinet berths. Clamour for MP ticket will ease demand for MLA tickets. Many upcoming leaders will get tickets.”
The party has planned series of meetings with national-level leaders in Lok Sabha constituencies. As part of this strategy, Union minister Prakash Javadekar attended the Bhuvanagiri Lok Sabha constituency booth-level workers meet on Saturday.
