Telangana BJP is aiming to repeat the feat in the forthcoming polls to the Nalgonda-Warangal-Khammam and Mahabubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad Graduates’ constituencies buoyed by its impressive performance in last year’s MLC elections.
However, as aspirants intensify lobbying for party nominations, familiar internal fault lines have once again come to the fore. The debate within the party centres on two key questions: whether tickets should go to long-serving party loyalists or more recent entrants, and whether candidates should be drawn from the constituencies they seek to represent or whether ‘outsiders’ with wider appeal can be fielded.
The party’s victories in the Karimnagar-Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad Graduates’ constituency and the Medak-Karimnagar-Adilabad-Nizamabad Teachers’ constituency last year provided the party with significant political momentum. Ch. Anji Reddy and M. Komaraiah secured emphatic wins, dealing a setback to both the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS.
Yet, the selection process also left some senior leaders disappointed after being overlooked for nominations. Party insiders say intense lobbying and factional manoeuvring among influential leaders played a role in the final selection of candidates, ultimately benefiting those who received party backing.
The contest for the Mahabubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad Graduates’ constituency is proving to be particularly intense. The seat is currently represented by BRS MLC S. Vani Devi, daughter of former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, who won the election in 2021.
Her nephew and PV’s grandson who is also the party’s chief spokesperson N.V. Subash is seeking the ticket. Having worked closely with successive State BJP presidents, Mr. Subash is understood to be highlighting both his organisational experience and academic credentials, which include a post-graduate engineering degree from the United States.
Another prominent aspirant is former State BJP vice-president and advocate S. Malla Reddy. He is reportedly staking claim to the nomination based on his long association with the party and assurances allegedly made to him during previous elections. While several other names are also in the race, party sources indicate that these two are among the leading contenders.
The constituency carries special significance as current State party president Mr. Ramchander Rao won the seat in 2015, at a time when the then BRS government was at the peak of its political dominance. He later narrowly lost to Ms. Vani Devi in the subsequent election. Party leaders believe the graduate electorate remains one of the BJP’s strongest support bases, making the constituency both strategically important and highly sought after.
For the Nalgonda-Warangal-Khammam Graduates’ constituency, senior leaders S. Prakash Reddy, G. Manohar Reddy, G. Premender Reddy and Kasam Venkateshwarlu are reportedly among those seeking the party ticket.
According to party sources, a panel comprising N. Ramchander Rao, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Rajya Sabha member K. Laxman is expected to finalise and shortlist before seeking approval from the BJP Central leadership.
Political observers note that the party high command could still spring a surprise. There is speculation that Mr. Rao himself may be asked to enter the fray, a move that would significantly alter the electoral dynamics. The emergence of a surprise nominee at the last minute is not ruled out too.
The final decision could also be influenced by the candidates fielded by the Congress and BRS. “It is time for the party to consider loyalists for such safe seats,” observed a leader. “We will give the ticket to the winning candidate,” is what Mr. Rao said when questioned about the candidates’ selection.
Published – August 16, 2026 07:14 pm IST
