KTR warning on poll tickets silences rebels

IT minister K.T. Rama Rao’s recent remarks that tickets for the upcoming state elections will be passed on a survey by political strategist Prashant Kishor has sent legislators in Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem scrambling to resolve disputes and perk up their image.

In a meeting with legislators, Rao said, “There are internal squabbles in all nine Assembly segments in Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts except Khammam Assembly segment. The leaders should be ready to work in the elections, which will come at any time.”

Rao warned sitting MLAs that they are not guaranteed tickets and hinted at imminent changes. “The coming elections will be a key one to the party and winning horses will be given party tickets. All leaders should work hard in the elections,” he said.

Rao said that those who are not given tickets will be used on other party and government platforms. “We will not lose them at any cost,” he said. The meeting saw the participation of party rebels — former minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, former MP Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and former MLAs Thati Venkateswarlu and Payam Venkateswarlu. A legislator in Bhadradri district, seeking anonymity, said, “IT minister K.T. Rama Rao had given a clear hint to the sitting… Rao stressed on giving tickets as per the survey. TRS working president expressed discontent over the party affairs in nine assembly segments in two districts.”

The IT minister also hinted that a national party will be floated by K. Chandrashekar Rao and it will play a key role in national politics.

Rao said that the use of police escort vehicles by public representatives is not going down well in the public eye. Also, he said he would convene a meeting to reduce gaps between party leaders in the district.