The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Congress on horns of dilemma

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 29, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Congress on horns of dilemma

By Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR, MARCH 28. The post-Paritala political scenario in the Penukonda Assembly constituency in the district has begun to become clear even as the dust raised by the murder of Paritala Ravindra is settling down.

While the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has expressed itself in favour of fielding the widow of Ravindra, Sunita, for the by-election, an animated debate is on in the Congress over the choice -- whether to field a backward class community candidate or to heed the appeal by the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to keep away factionists or to plump for a new face.

The wife of G. Suryanarayana Reddy alias Suri, Bhanumati, both of whom are named conspirators in the FIR on the Ravindra murder, has made her intentions clear by declaring that she is ready jump into the electoral fray again, given an opportunity by the party leadership. She lost to Ravindra in the last election.

Differences

The former Hindupur MP and BC leader, S. Gangadhar, is among the front runners for the ruling party's choice.

Sources in the Congress say Mr. Gangadhar has also proposed two other names -- that of S. Adinarayana Reddy, the former Congress MPP of Chennekothapalli and the paternal uncle of slain former legislator,

S.V. Ramna Reddy, and his (Gangadhar's) wife in case the party is interested in fielding a woman candidate.

TDP plans

The TDP leaders - T. Sitaram, M. Narasimhulu and K. Srinivasulu -- have unveiled the party's plans of fielding Sunita for the by-election at a condolence meeting held for Ravindra at Ramagiri on Saturday.

A majority of Congress leaders are said to be weighing against the choice of Ms. Bhanumati.

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Andhra Pradesh