As YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is undertaking a marathon exercise on selection of party candidates for the upcoming elections based on various survey reports, speculations are flying high on social media about the candidates to be finalised for the contest.
On Monday, popular Tollywood comedian Ali has thrown his hat in the ring, saying he was ready to contest the elections from whichever constituency the party president would decide.
“I cannot say whether it is Guntur or Nandyal or Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat. But I am sure to contest the elections, if given the ticket. I am just waiting for the orders from the boss,” Ali said.
According to party sources, Jagan is expected to call Ali for discussions in the next three or four days and finalise his seat. In all probability, Jagan will choose the constituency where there is a good percentage of minority population, sources said.
The latest talk is that Jagan is contemplating changing the constituency of his cousin and sitting Kadapa MP Y S Avinash Reddy and fielding him from an assembly in the same district.
“In his place, Jagan might field Ali for the Lok Sabha elections, as Kadapa, too, as a good percentage of minorities. Moreover, it is a safer seat for Ali. Since Jagan wants good number of assembly seats, he may consider fielding Avinash Reddy for the assembly polls,” sources said.
Alternatively, Ali’s name might also be considered for Nandyal Lok Sabha seat, in case Jagan decides to field Kadapa MLA Amzad Basha for the MP seat. The Kadapa assembly seat is likely to be allotted to Reddy or Balija candidate.
There will be clarity in this regard by this week end, sources said.