Congress may nominate Konda Laxman’s Bapuji ’s daughter to checkmate BRS

Hyderabad: The possibility of nominating Dr Pavitra Vani, daughter of late Konda Laxman Bapujim, a freedom fighter, who fought against the Razakars and a prominent leader of the first phase of the Telangana movement, for one of the three Governor quota MLC seats is being discussed within Congress circles. Party leaders believe that her nomination could carry both political significance and symbolic value as a tribute to Konda Laxman Bapuji’s contribution to the Telangana movement.

Konda Laxman Bapuji participated in the 1952 Non-Mulki agitation. Bapuji was the first minister in Congress government to resign from his post for Telangana cause on March 29, 1969, and then participated to give impetus to the 1969 Telangana agitation. Konda Laxman Bapuji belongs to the Padmashali community is also being seen as a significant factor in the discussions over Dr Pavitra Vani’s candidature. The issue assumes significance following Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s recent assurance at a public meeting in Sircilla that one of the three Governor quota MLC seats would be allotted to a member of the Padmashali community.

Dr Pavitra Vani’s background as a medical doctor is also being cited as an advantage by those supporting her candidature. Congress leaders believe that her nomination could carry considerable symbolic value as a tribute to Konda Laxman Bapuji while also strengthening the party’s connection with the Padmashali community.

Party circles feel that her candidature could also help Congress gain political mileage over the BRS, which has consistently projected itself as a party that championed the cause of Telangana protagonists. Her nomination, they believe, could counter that narrative by honouring the family of one of the prominent figures associated with the Telangana movement.

A Congress leader described the proposal as a “one seat, many benefits” move for the party, saying Dr Pavitra Vani would be an ideal choice for the Governor quota MLC post from all perspectives.

Another Congress leader remarked that selecting Konda Laxman Bapuji’s daughter could help ease the criticism faced by the Congress government following the dismissal of Konda Surekha from the Cabinet, particularly as both Konda Surekha and Dr Pavitra Vani belong to the Padmashali community.

However, the Congress high command is likely to take a final decision if her name is recommended by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and other senior leaders.

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Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty

Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty