After hectic lobbying, decks seems to have been cleared for the candidature of former Pradesh Congress Committee president and senior leader Ponnala Lakshmaiah from Jangaon assembly constituency in the ensuing assembly elections in Telangana.
Lakshmaiah, who has been running around the high command in Delhi, met party president Rahul Gandhi and told him that that he was only BC candidate who contested from the same constituency for four times and the chances of winning would be difficult if it is allotted to any other leader.
The seat was allotted to Telangana Jana Samithi as part of Maha Kootami and TJS president Prof M Kodandaram is getting ready for contesting from Jangaon. He even got his campaign ratham ready for the same.
Following a call from Rahul, Kodandaram went to the national capital to meet the former. Apparently, Rahul convinced him to sacrifice the seat for Ponnala because of the caste equations.
He asked Ponnala to have discussions with Kodandaram and come to an understanding.
It is learnt Kodandaram agreed to give up the Jangaon seat to Ponnala, provided he is shown a suitable alternative constituency.
In fact, after the formation of Maha Kootami, Kodandaram told the Congress leaders that he would contest from Kothagudem or Warangal East constituencies.
But, following discussions over changed political equations, the TJS chief decided to contest from Jangaon. Now, he is forced to give up even Jangaon.
It remains to be seen which constituency he would be offered now. In case it is not suitable for him, Kodandaram might even drop out from race and will confine himself to campaigning.
