Khammam: The names of former Union minister Renuka Chowdhury and AICC leader Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy have been short-listed by the Congress for the Khammam Lok Sabha constituency.
Among the two, Ms Renuka’s name is the top and it is expected that the AICC leadership may announce by Tuesday evening its Khammam candidate. Former MP V. Hanumantha Rao’s name was also discussed in the initial stage, but the high command set it aside.
Though Ms Renuka did not approach the Congress high command for her name for Khammam, the party short listed her, as many of its leaders were not interested in contesting from Khammam, since two of the Congress MLAs shifted their loyalties to the TRS.
At the same time, the TPCC and the CLP leaders failed to finalise a suitable candidate for Khammam. Though there is opposition from Congress leaders to her candidature, the party has no other alternative.
The Congress high command considered Sudhakar Reddy’s name, however they found he would not be able to give a good fight in Khammam.
The attempts of CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka to thwart Renuku’s candidature seems to be unsuccessful. Bhatti has been unable to put forth a strong candidate's name for Khammam seat.
On the first day of filing nominations, no nomination was filed.
There are only four working days left for filing nominations. Nominations will be not taken on March 21 (Holi), March 23 (4th Saturday) and March 24 (Sunday). Nominations will be scrutinised on March 26.
