Why Khammam is the hottest property in Congress Party?

Khammam Lok Sabha seat is fast becoming the hottest property in Telangana Congress politics. Khammam has always been a Congress citadel and the party did very well even during the peak of KCR wave. The assembly seats largely went to the Congress Party in both the 2014, 2018 and 2023 elections. Hence, there is a great demand for the Khammam Lok Sabha seat in the Congress Party. There are many claimants for the party ticket here.

Already, Nandini Devi, wife of deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, has applied for the party ticket to contest from Khammam. Mallu represents Madhira constituency, which falls under Khammam Lok Sabha seat and has considerable influence in the district politics. Similarly, former PCC chief and ex-Rajya Sabha MP V Hanumanth Rao too is said to be aspiring for Khammam seat. Sources say that Khammam District Congress Committee chief Puvvalla Durga Prasad has also thrown his hat in the ring.

Congress internal sources reveal that minister Ponguleti Srinivas Rao, who represented Khammam lok sabha seat during the 2014-2019 period, is making moves to field his brother from Khammam Lok Sabha constituency. His complete sway over undivided Khammam district was proved beyond doubt in both 2014 and the 2023 elections. In 2018 and 2019 elections, he was with the BRS. He helped BRS candidate and industrialist Nama Nageswar Rao to win the 2019 lok sabha elections from Khammam.

Another major player is former MP Renuka Chowdhary. Renuka represented Khammam Lok Sabha seat at least twice and is considered quite close to the Gandhi family. Being a Kamma is her biggest advantage. With so many candidates aspiring for the party ticket, Khammam, no wonder, has emerged as a very key seat. Sources also suggest that Sonia Gandhi, who is said to have decided against fighting from Raebareli in UP, too could opt for Khammam. If that happens, Khammam would become what Wayanad is to Kerala.