The Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS) is known as master poll strategist under the leadership of KCR. Now the big question is will the TRS apply the Nagarjuna Sagar formula to defeat Etela in Huzurabad by-elections too?

It is understood that the TRS is busy to implement that formula in Huzurabad too, that is to field a relatively politically inexperienced candidate  – as was done in Nagarjuna Sagar, where the party fielded Nomula Bhagat against the heavyweight Congress candidate Jana Reddy – to defeat the seasoned politician, Etela Rajender.

Who would be the TRS nominee to lock horns with Etela? This question has stirred a lot of interest among the people.

Meanwhile, the political circles are speculating about the likely candidates. The discussions veer around Capt Laxmikanta Rao and Muddasani Damodar Reddy’s families. Names of some other possible leaders, who would jump into the TRS if given a berth are also doing the rounds.

Etela Rajender, who recently resigned from the TRS has decided to throw in his hat for the seventh time with the slogan ‘self-respect of Telangana people’, provided the BJP fields him.

Meanwhile, the TRS is searching for a suitable candidate to rival Etela. The TRS however, is treading cautiously taking into consideration changing political equations. It is doing everything in its capacity to deal a body blow to Etela, obviously after assessing his strengths and weaknesses.

At least 12 leaders have offered to contest against Etela. The TRS leadership is reportedly studying their profiles.  Besides the socio-economic issues, the TRS is said to be giving priority to local candidates and youth. It is also reportedly considering names of former MLAs and retired IAS officials and leaders of other parties too.
People think that TRS may choose its nominee from either former minister Muddasani Damodar Reddy’s or Capt Laxmikanta Rao’s families.

The TRS is apparently thinking about fielding retired IAS officer, Vemulavada temple authority vice-chairman and brother of Damodar Reddy, Purushottam Reddy, to cash in on his image and Reddy community votes as he belongs to Mamidalapalli. If TRS brand image was added to his profile, he was likely to win, according to TRS’ perception.

However, though Purushottam Reddy has administrative experience, but no political experience.  Meanwhile, Damodar Reddy’s son Kashyap Reddy, who unsuccessfully contested against Etela in 2014, is readying himself to fight Etela after joining the TRS. The TRS is also apparently considering the name of Pranav Baby, grandson of Voditala Rajeshwar Rao, from Capt Laxmikanta Rao’s family.

The TRS is apparently wooing L Ramana, Telangana TDP president, into TRS as an alternative to the above said choices.

If Ramana turns down the offer, the TRS is also considering the name of Ponnam Prabhakar, TPCC working president, to give him an opportunity to fight against Etela – his image and his ability to respond to criticism weighing heavy in favour of Ponnam.

The names of former MP Vinod, Praveen Reddy and Kaushik Reddy of Congress, Peddireddy of BJP are also doing the rounds as probable candidates for the seat. #KhabarLive #hydnews