GVL wants to contest from Visakhapatnam while Sujana has chosen Vijayawada
PNS | Vijayawada
In a significant development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contemplating the prospect of fielding some of its Rajya Sabha members in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Sources within the party have indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given clear instructions to party leaders to allocate tickets to select present and former Rajya Sabha members for the Lok Sabha polls.
According to insiders, those who have completed two terms as Rajya Sabha members will be encouraged to contest in the Lok Sabha elections, with the stipulation that they will not be nominated for a third term in the Rajya Sabha.
To kickstart their election preparations, BJP leaders from the Rajya Sabha have been directed to choose their desired Lok Sabha constituencies and actively engage with local leaders.
Additionally, they have been advised to set up local offices within their chosen constituencies.
Their outreach efforts extend beyond mere campaigning, as they are also working to educate the public about the various welfare schemes initiated by the Central government.
As part of the BJP’s evolving political strategy, GVL Narasimha Rao has already declared his intent to contest from the Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency. Rao has been residing in the area for several months and has established a local campaign office. Notably, he recently convened a meeting with banking officials and cautioned them about lodging complaints with higher authorities should they perceive inefficiencies in the implementation of Central government schemes. Rao is also actively engaging with Central government employees to garner their support for his candidacy. His proficiency in Hindi has been an asset in reaching out to the North Indian population residing in Visakhapatnam.
In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, K Laxman and GVL Narasimha Rao represent the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, respectively. In the event of Union Minister Kishan Reddy deciding to run again from Secunderabad, Laxman may seek candidacy from another constituency.
Former Member of Parliament and former Union minister, Sujana Chowdary, is rumoured to have selected the Vijayawada constituency as his preferred battleground for the upcoming elections. Chowdary’s community ties and non-controversial track record make him a strong contender in the region. Another Rajya Sabha member, Garikapati Mohan Rao, who recently concluded his term, is actively exploring the possibility of contesting from the Malkajgiri constituency.