Rich aspirants favoured
The ruling Congress is said to be looking for corporate funding for the Nellore Lok Sabha bypolls. The party central leadership is actively considering the name of industrialist and local Congress leader P.V. Prasanna Kumar Reddy, a close relative of G.V. Krishna Reddy, chairman and managing director of GVK group of companies.
According to sources, the party was of the view that the candidate must be non-controversial and financially strong to take on the incumbent Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, who resigned from Congress and is all set to seek re-election on the YSR Congress ticket. Mr Prasanna Kumar Reddy contested as Congress candidate from Nellore Assembly contested in 1994 and lost to Telugu Desam candidate Mr Ramesh. He owns power projects outside the state and is a well known civil contractor.
Contrary to reports, the party central leadership is in no mood to consider the candidature of Nellore MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy. Sources said the party was not convinced about the image of the Nellore Rural MLA. The Telugu Desam is also finding it difficult to identify a suitable candidate. Though the party tried to rope in some contractors and industrialists who do not belong to any party the latter did not show interest.
“We are likely to field Mr Venugopal Reddy again," a senior TD leader said, adding that he was also apprehensive of the election expenditure. Mr Venugopal Reddy, who lost to Mr Rajamohan Reddy in 2009 Lok Sabha polls, made it clear that the election funding has to be arranged by the party leadership. The YSR Congress on the other hand is way ahead of the two rival parties as the candidate is already into the electioneering mode. The party has gained strength from the thumping victory of its nominee N. Prasanna Kumar Reddy in Kovur by-polls.
Mr Rajamohan Reddy's brother, Mr Chandrasekhar Reddy, who quit Udaigiri assembly seat in support of Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, is also seeking re-election.
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