Is the Congress list in Telangana ‘perfect and ideal’?

• Party selected the candidates after massive exercise
• Different aspects considered before announcing the candidates
• Advice of individual- cum- intellectual panel taken into the consideration
• Little chance to the parachute leaders
• Candidates selected after they got more inputs

What is the modus operandi adopted by the Congress in finalising the list of candidates in 119 assembly constituencies in Telangana? It is a topic of discussion among the people on the selection of Congress candidates. Even opposition parties praised the Congress list by saying it followed certain procedures in selecting the candidates. The AICC election committee had not given scope to the ‘recommended’ candidates, who got the ticket with the help of senior leaders. The party did not do such mistakes this time and followed a precise and full-proof excercise for it.

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Firstly, survey was done by psephologist Sunil Kanugolu’s team in 119 constituencies and winning chances of the aspirants in the particular constituency along with the party prospects were calculated. Secondly, the recommendations of senior leaders and social and financial background of the aspirants had also taken into consideration. Thirdly, the election Committee prepared a list of probable candidates. Fourthly, Congress high command took the opinion of confidential independent body comprising advocates, jouranlists, retired IAS officers and judges and intellectuals by sending the probables list. Fifthly, the election committee had tallied all the above recommendations and finalised the list. A list of ideal candidates was prepared and the final list was made and announced.

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More weight was given to the survey and independent panel opinion than recommendations of the senior leaders. There are exemptions here and there. The Congress list was discussed more in BRS district offices. A BRS senior leader said, “It seems Congress party made good exercise in preparing the candidates’ list. We received phone calls from our candidates after finding the names list. We felt  tough candidates are being fielded in majority constituencies”.

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J Adinarayana, in Aswaraopet, Ramadas Naik in Wyra, K Kanakaiah in Yellandu, Matta Ragamayi in Sattupalli, K Srinivasa Reddy in Adilabad, M Rangareddy in Ibrahimpatnam and Balu Naik in Devarakonda were among such candidates who selected on sheer merit. They had good name among the people in their respective constituencies. 

M Madhusudan, a senior journalist from Nalgonda, said, “Selection of Balu Naik for Devarakonda constituency is the best example to say that the Congress made good exercise. Six candidates, who are financially sound contended for the seat and the screening committee had selected none of them but Balu Naik, who has mass base in the constituency”. (eom)

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