HYDERABAD: Several local MPs and top leaders from various political parties said they are keen on contesting assembly polls next year, with few already visiting assembly constituencies frequently and renewing relations with local leaders.
While TPCC president A Revanth Reddy announced that he would be contesting from Kodangal assembly constituency, sources said BJP state president and lawmaker Bandi Sanjay may contest from Karimnagar assembly segment.
In the 2023 assembly elections. Revanth, who represents Malkajgiri Lok Sabha now, earlier represented Kodangal in Mahbubnagar district.
Union minister G Kishan Reddy may also take the plunge from his earlier assembly constituency, Amberpet. Similarly, Nalgonda MP N Uttam Kumar from Huzurnagar, Bhuvangagiri MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy might contest from either Bhongiri assembly or Nalgonda assembly.
Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind from Armoor and former TRS MP B Vinod Kumar is looking to contest from Huzurabad. Other BJP leaders like Jithender Reddy and DK Aruna are reportedly wanting to try their luck in the next assembly elections.
“Many leaders especially from opposition parties such as BJP and Congress are showing interest in assembly elections, because if their party comes into power there are chances of them becoming a minister. For big leaders and party local chiefs, they can also become chief ministerial candidate if the party come into power,” a senior political leader said.
Analysts say if they lose in the assembly elections, the sitting MPs can seek ticket in Lok Sabha elections as sitting MPs. Interestingly some leaders are announcing their willingness to contest in the assembly polls without consulting or getting nod from their central leadership. Nizamabad MP and BJP leader Arvind announced that he would contest from Armoor against TRS MLA A Jeevan Reddy on Tuesday.
“But I would abide by decision of the party leadership on contesting assembly elections. Secondly I have not made up my mind whether to contest in assembly elections.” TPCC former president and MP Uttam Kumar Reddy told TOI. In the 2018 polls, some leaders such as Bandi Sanjay contested from Karimnagar assembly segment and lost.
Subsequently, he emerged victorious from Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat in 2019. Congress MPs Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, N Uttam Kumar Reddy and union minister G Kishan Reddy were defeated by TRS candidates in 2018 but came back strongly to win in 2019 Parliamentary polls.
