PV Satyanarayana Khammam

Politicalparties in Telangana have begun preparations for the Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda graduates’ MLC election, with the process for preparation of fresh electoral rolls set to begin.

Chief Electoral Officer C Sudharshan Reddy has issued the schedule, with the public notice for voter registration issued on September 28 and the final electoral roll scheduled for publication on December 30.

The term of sitting MLC Chintapandu Naveen, popularly known as Teenmar Mallanna, ends in March 2027.

In the May 2024 biennial election, Congress candidate Mallanna defeated BRS nominee A Rakesh Reddy.

The results were declared on June 8. The seat had fallen vacant after then MLC Palla Rajeshwar Reddy resigned following his election to the Jangaon Assembly constituency in 2023.

Rakesh Reddy, whose candidature is yet to be formally announced, has already begun campaigning, meeting graduates and organising programmes across the constituency.

Issues relating to government recruitment, jobs, education, and the concerns of unemployed youth are expected to figure prominently in the contest.

Meanwhile, the Jana Sena Party has named former Health Director Gadala Srinivas Rao as its candidate. He has also begun his campaign.

The Congress and BJP are yet to announce their nominees.

Several names are doing the rounds in Congress circles, including Telangana State Tourism Corporation Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy, Vijaya Dairy Chairman Gutta Amith Reddy, Osmania University JAC leader Lokesh Yadav, Singapuram Indira, Ramireddy Sarvothama Reddy, son of former minister Damodar Reddy, Ponguleti Prasad Reddy, brother of Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Nalgonda DCC president Punna Kailash Neta and RTI Commissioner PV Srinivas.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka reportedly held a meeting with key leaders from the erstwhile Warangal, Khammam, and Nalgonda districts in Hyderabad earlier this month to discuss the party’s election strategy.

According to party sources, Vikramarka asked the leaders to abide by the high command’s decision on the candidate and work together for the party.

With the electoral roll exercise now scheduled, political activity in the graduates’ constituency is likely to intensify in the run-up to the election.