Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao picks Challa Venkatrami Reddy, K Naveen Kumar, Deshapathi Srinivas for 3 MLC vacancies

HYDERABAD: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has announced three candidates for MLC vacancies under MLA quota.
Chief Minister's officer on special duty (OSD) Deshapathi Srinivas, sitting MLC K Naveen Kumar and Challa Venkatrami Reddy have been chosen for the three seats. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a schedule for filling up the vacancies for which polling will be held on March 23.

Among the MLCs candidates Challa Venkatrami Reddy, grandson of former president Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, got an assurance when he joined the BRS soon after the official launch of the party in December. He represented Alampur assembly constituency in the erstwhile Mahbubnagar district between 2004 and 2009 as an Independent. He has good cadre backing in Mahbubnagar and even in neighbouring Kurnool district. The party felt his nomination to the Upper House would help the BRS expand its activities in neighbouring AP also.
Deshapathi Srinivas has been aspiring for an MLC ticket for the past few years. A teacher-turned-politician, he played a crucial role in Telangana movement by penning songs on Telangana. He belongs to Munigadapa village in CM's own constituency Gajwel. K Naveen Kumar, is a sitting BRS MLC, who has got a second chance in the Upper House. He is a realtor-turned-politician.
Meanwhile, two MLC candidates under Governor quota would be announced in the state cabinet meeting to be held on March 9. Under governor quota two MLCs D Rajeshwara Rao and Farooq Hussain are retiring. After cabinet approval, names of candidates would be sent to Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan for approval.