The initial lists have already been sent to the high command, and the scrutiny process is being taken up following its approval, party sources said. State BJP president N Ramchander Rao figures on the initial list for Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahbubnagar seat. Hyderabad: Telangana BJP will begin consultations on Tuesday to scrutinise the initial list of candidates for two Graduates’ MLC seats and prepare a shortlist of three names for each constituency to be sent to the party high command.
The initial list for the Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahabubnagar constituency has 13 aspirants, including Ramchander Rao, while around seven names figure on the list for Nalgonda-Khammam-Warangal constituency.
The BJP is most likely to field one candidate from the Open Category (OC) and one from the Backward Classes (BC) for the two seats, according to party sources. For Nalgonda-Khammam-Warangal constituency, the names under consideration include Biksham Goud, Ashok Goud and party vice-president Kasam Venkateswarlu, sources said. Caste equations are also expected to play a role in the selection process. The consultation committee for the Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahabubnagar comprises former MLA Chitala Ramachandra Reddy, senior party leader Venkat Ramani and state vice-president Kalyan Naik. Goli Madhusudhan, Bharath Prasad and Komala Anjaneyulu are members of the consultation committee for this constituency.
Two consultation committees will hold discussions with district leaders, district in-charges, former party leaders and elected representatives before the lists are pruned further and sent to the party high command.
The final candidates are likely to be announced after the Dasara festival. Rao has won this seat in the past as well. Interestingly, Jana Sena has announced G Srinivas Rao as its candidate for Nalgonda-Khammam-Warangal constituency, despite being an alliance partner in the NDA in Andhra Pradesh.
These names will then be sent to the party high command for further scrutiny, sources said. Party insiders said several leaders favoured Rao’s candidature. Following the consultations, the initial lists are expected to be pruned to three names for each constituency. However, national president Nitin Nabin would have to give formal clearance if the party decides to field him. Differences between the two parties over candidate selection have surfaced in the past as well, including during the previous GHMC elections.
The shortlisted names will be placed before the party’s parliamentary board.