Former BRS MLA Jalagam Venkat Rao has joined the BJP, sparking a shift in the race for the Khammam MP ticket in the party. Before Jalagam’s entry, senior leaders like Kondapalli Sridhar Reddy, Dr G Venkateswarlu, and Tandra Vinod Rao were being considered for the ticket. However, Jalagam’s entry has changed the dynamics and caused a stir among hopeful candidates.
Jalagam, who was previously an MLA from Kothagudem, lost in the 2018 Assembly elections. He then contested under the All India Forward Bloc party banner and secured the second position. Sridhar Reddy, a seasoned party leader, is now also vying for the MP ticket due to his long history of service within the party at various levels.
Dr Gongura Venkateswarlu (GV), a well-known doctor from Khammam city, is another candidate being considered for the MP ticket. He has actively contributed to the party’s development and served as the district president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Tandra Vinodh Rao, a prominent businessman from Thimmampet, has also entered the race, intensifying the competition within the party.
Party leaders speculate that Jalagam may be given the opportunity to contest for the MP seat due to his familial ties to former Chief Minister Jalagam Vengal Rao. However, if Jalagam does not show interest, the party is likely to give the ticket to Sridhar Reddy or Dr GV, as they strategically prioritize leveraging the BC card for maximum benefit.
