prp may prefer bc candidate for convener

Speculation is rife here that the State leadership of the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) may prefer a backward class candidate for the post of convener of either the city unit or the district unit of the party, in the backdrop of this section becoming crucial in deciding the electoral arithmetic in the changed political scene.

PRP leaders say it is a foregone conclusion that a leader belonging to the politically influential Kamma community will be made convener of one of the two units, going by the strength and population criterion.

The other unit will be placed under the charge of a candidate belonging to a backward class, so that the PRP can gain an edge over the ruling Congress and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party in the imminent triangular fight.

Considering the importance of Krishna district and Vijayawada in coastal area, the PRP is weighing all options before deciding on the conveners, whose role will be crucial in building up and giving a proper start to the party’s fortunes.

It is because of the politically agile nature of the district that the PRP’s State leadership is buying time to appoint conveners and the process is expected to take another week or 10 days.

Local leaders say clear signals have already been sent to the existing activists, enthusiasts, fans’ association leaders and sympathisers that the district leadership will be placed in the hands of potential candidates to strike a balance between the interests of different sections.

PRP leaders are of the view that extra efforts should be made to win the support of weaker sections and BCs in the run-up to the elections. The party is on the look-out for capable and potential candidates from these sections to project them as its future strength in the district.

Winning chances
A city leader of the PRP says the State leadership will ultimately consider winning chances and political accuracy, rather than community or such factors in choosing leaders for running the party ahead of the elections.

He says a clear message will be sent right from the appointment of conveners at urban and district level.

Even fans associations’ leaders, who are at times emotional about their attachment to the party, are said to have expressed willingness to abide by whatever decision the party takes ultimately.