Former MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy’s re-joining the Congress party has caused a stir among the ticket aspirants in Munugode Assembly constituency. After announcing his return, Rajgopal met with AICC general secretary K C Venugopal in Delhi and is set to formally join the party in the presence of Rahul Gandhi on October 27.
Rajgopal is expected to receive the Congress ticket for Munugode, which has led to objections from other aspirants. Ch Krishna Reddy, one of the main contenders, has declared himself as the candidate. Meanwhile, Palvai Sravanthi and P Kailash Neta are also uncomfortable with the situation and have been lobbying in Delhi. Kailash stated, “I ask the party to acknowledge my loyalty and give the seat to a BC candidate like me.”
These three leaders were also top contenders when Rajgopal left the party in 2022. Sravanthi had previously contested in the byelections for Munugode but was unsuccessful. The other two contenders reapplied and remained hopeful. Krishna Reddy, in a show of strength in Choutuppal, said, “Rajgopal Reddy is a prominent leader who can contest from anywhere in Telangana. My influence lies in Munugode, so I request him to give up this constituency for me.”
Rajgopal’s statement that he will contest from Munugode if given the ticket has already gained attention. He even expressed readiness to challenge KCR from Gajwel if given the opportunity by the party high command.
Before the byelections in 2022, the party had already lost some leaders, including Palle Ravi Kumar. Ravi, a journalist-turned-politician from the Goud caste, joined BRS and is now serving as chairman of the Telangana State Toddy Tappers Cooperative Finance Corporation Limited. He had warned the party that failing to choose a BC candidate for the byelection would harm the party’s prospects in the constituency during last year’s polls.
