VIJAYAWADA: YSRCP is likely to drop Hafeez Khan, and Pula Basheer is the front runner for the Kurnool seat, according to TOI SAMDANI MN. The YSRCP leadership is reportedly considering fielding a new candidate from the Kurnool city assembly segment due to the ongoing conflict between the sitting legislator Hafeez Khan and former legislator SV Mohan Reddy.
Sources suggest that the party is seriously considering removing Hafeez Khan as he has not been able to establish a good rapport with the Reddy leaders in the district. It is believed that the chief minister has instructed local leaders and Ipac to find a suitable candidate from the minority community.
The names of former district congress committee president Mohammed Ali Khan, Pulivendula Area Development Authority (PADA) public relations officer Shaik (Pula) Basheer, and serving IAS officer Intiaz have been mentioned as alternatives to Hafeez Khan. Basheer is said to have a close relationship with the family members of the late CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy is reportedly supporting Basheer for the Kurnool assembly seat, as he has a good reputation among the minorities in the city. Additionally, he is the only strong contender from the Shaik sect, while the other two leaders are from the Khan sect, making him the front runner for the ticket.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has already chosen four Muslim minority candidates for the upcoming elections, and it is likely that one more seat will be given to the minority communities, bringing the total to five. In 2019, YSRCP fielded four Muslim candidates, all of whom emerged victorious. The chief minister is reportedly eager to increase the Muslim quota to strengthen the party’s presence among the minority communities. Sources also indicate that Deputy Chief Minister Amzad Basha is likely to be selected as the Kadapa Lok Sabha candidate, as he currently represents the Kadapa city assembly segment.
The party may assign sitting MP Avinash Reddy to the assembly from one of the segments in YSR district and bring in a Muslim candidate for the Lok Sabha polls. The Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency has a significant Muslim electorate, with over 3.5 lakh voters. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is also planning to field a minority candidate for the Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency, which is expected to attract Muslim voters in the Rayalaseema region towards the YSRCP.
Former Waqf Board chairman Khader Basha is reportedly in the running for the Nandyal Lok Sabha ticket. It is worth noting that no party has fielded minority leaders for Lok Sabha constituencies in recent years, with TDP’s Lal Jaan Basha being the last Muslim candidate to win the Guntur Lok Sabha constituency almost three decades ago.
