Hyderabad: The Congress party has finalized its picks for three crucial MLC seats in Telangana under the MLA quota, reserving the fourth seat for the Communist Party of India (CPI). The move, reportedly influenced by the party high command, underscores Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s growing influence within the state unit. With candidates getting elected unopposed, the scheduled March 20 election is now irrelevant.
Revanth Reddy Consolidates Control
Revanth Reddy emerged as the clear winner in the selection process. He not only ensured seats for his close aides but also blocked detractors from securing party nominations. The chief minister, who has been steadily strengthening his hold over the Telangana Congress, delivered on his promise of accommodating Addanki Dayakar, a senior Dalit leader who was denied an Assembly ticket in 2023.
Dayakar’s nomination sends a strong political message, particularly in the erstwhile Nalgonda district, where he enjoys a significant support base. Another pick, Ketavath Shankar Naik, represents the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community and is a key Congress figure in Nalgonda, further tightening Revanth’s grip on the party’s organizational structure.
A Surprise Name Shakes Up the List
The biggest shock came with the selection of actress-turned-politician Vijayashanti. Her political journey has been nothing short of dramatic—beginning with the BJP, launching her own party, shifting to the BRS, then the Congress, returning to the BJP, and now back with Congress.
Party insiders suggest that her nomination was a strategic move to prevent other senior leaders from the Backward Classes (BC) community from taking the seat. The Congress is clearly making calculated decisions, ensuring a balance of caste representation while also reinforcing the CM’s dominance.
CPI’s Seat Allocation: A Strategic Alliance?
Leaving the fourth seat for the CPI is widely seen as a signal of the Congress high command’s intent to keep its alliance partners engaged. While the CPI does not wield significant electoral power in Telangana, its alliance with Congress is symbolically important, especially for broader anti-BJP positioning at the national level.
The CPI’s nominee is yet to be officially declared, but the party is expected to field a seasoned leader with strong grassroots connections. The move also prevents internal competition within Congress for the seat, a common issue in states with factional infighting.
BRS Goes With a Safe Bet
On the opposition side, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) selected Dr. Dasoju Shravan for its lone winnable MLC seat. Shravan, a known political figure, aligns with the BRS’s current strategy of prioritizing candidates with established political credibility rather than fresh faces.
The BRS’s decision to field only one candidate reflects its diminished legislative strength following the 2023 state elections. While it remains the primary opposition force, its influence has taken a hit, forcing it to make cautious moves.
Uncontested Elections Reflect Changing Political Dynamics
With all candidates getting elected unopposed, the MLC election that was scheduled for March 20 is no longer necessary. This underscores two key trends in Telangana politics:
- The Congress’s newfound stability under Revanth Reddy’s leadership.
- The BRS’s weakened position post-2023 elections, making it less aggressive in legislative battles.
The Congress’s emphasis on social representation in its selections also signals a broader strategy—one aimed at consolidating marginalized communities ahead of future electoral contests. With Revanth Reddy at the helm, the party appears to be making calculated moves to strengthen its hold over Telangana politics.
