HYDERABAD: Going by its strength of 46 in the State Assembly, Telugu Desam should comfortably win one Rajya Sabha seat, but there seem to be too many contenders, making the task of finalising a candidate a challenging one for party president N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The party's Polit Bureau is slated to meet on Thursday to discuss the issue. Topping the list of contenders is M.V. Mysoora Reddy who had switched sides from Congress to Telugu Desam to maintain distance from his political bete noire, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Using his long time association with the Congress and capacity for articulation of views with telling effect, Dr. Reddy in his new role as TDP spokesman proved his worth putting the Government to embarrassment many a time. His choice is being perceived as politically correct for TDP, he being a perfect foil for the Chief Minister. Another talk is that of a political understanding going back to the day he joined TDP.

Party sources indicate that Mr. Naidu could plump for Dr. Mysoora Reddy if there is not much resistance and pressure from some senior Polit Bureau members. If he decides to yield to their opinion, then the choice could be between former Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and former Speaker of Assembly K. Pratibha Bharathi.

Determined bid

Among those completing the term, Kambampati Ramamohana Rao, is making a determined bid to return to the Rajya Sabha on the strength of his ability to hit it off with leaders of national and other regional parties in New Delhi. He has been one of the key points men of Mr. Naidu in the national capital.

Others in the race include, Nannapaneni Rajakumari, who had been threatening the party leadership of taking the extreme step, if her claims were ignored.

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