TD to pick nominees early

Hyderabad, Sept. 21: With an aim to put up a tough fight against the Congress in the upcoming elections, the Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, has decided to announce 70 per cent of the names of candidates at least six months before the elections. Sources said the names of most of the candidates from Chittoor, East Godavari and West Godavari and Mahbubnagar districts have been finalised.

From Chittoor, almost all the sitting MLAs are likely to get tickets. According to party sources, the decison to announce the names well ahead of the election is to give the candidates the opportunity to plan their poll strategy. Mr Naidu is planning to announce the names soon.

Sources said Tamballapalli will see a new candidate, Mr Praveen Kumar Reddy, son of former minister Ms Laxmidevamma. Former minister Mr Bojja Gopala Krishna Reddy will contest from Srikalahasti and sitting MLAs Mr Manohar from Tirupati and Mr Ramesh from Madanapalli will be in the fray this time, too. The party is currently waiting for the Congress MLA, Mr Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu, to join the TD. But party sources said he is demanding two seats. This has prompted the TD to keep its decision on Chandragiri and Nagari seats on hold. "If he changes his mind, then Mr Rammoorthy Naidu (brother of Mr Chandrababu Naidu) would be the party candidate," a senior leader said.

Actor-turned-politician and Telugu Mahila president Ms Roja wanted to contest from Nagari but local leaders Mr Radha Krishna and Mr Ashok Raju are also eyeing this seat. The newly created seats, GD Nellore and Poothalapattu, have been reserved for SCs and the party is shifting candidates from the erstwhile Vepanjeri and Palamaneru seats.

To beat the Chiranjeevi party’s Kapu factor in East and West Godavari districts, the TD has decided to field BC candidates in 90 per cent of the seats. In Telangana districts, the party has decided to give priority to SCs to beat the Congress and the TRS which have strong vote banks.