Andhra Ratna Bhavan Busy Again, Thanks To Sharmila!

The elections are drawing near and so is political activity catching pace.

With both the YCP and TDP finalising on the candidates to be fielded by the parties from various constituencies basing on the surveys, track record and their financial status, the Congress has also set focus on the process. The party seniors are readying to conduct interviews with the aspirants who had already filed applications seeking candidature.

After a long time, the Andhra Ratna Bhavan, the Congress office in Vijayawada, is bustling with activity as many aspirants are getting ready to meet PCC chief Y.S. Sharmila.

The Congress had invited applications from leaders planning to contest the elections and interestingly, over 420 applications were received for 175 Assembly seats from January 24 till date.

The Congress, which has an alliance with the Communists, is likely to allocate 15-20 seats to them.

According to sources, Sharmila would hold one-on-one meeting with the aspirants.

On the first day today, she would deliberate with aspirants from Narasapuram, Eluru, Machilipatnam, Narasaraopet, Bapatla, Guntur Parliamentary constituencies.

The party received over 280 applications from 49 Assembly constituencies falling in the purview of the above Parliamentary constituencies.

On Friday, Sharmila would speak to the applicants from 63 Assembly constituencies in the remaining 9 Parliamentary constituencies. Winning chances of the candidates and their commitment to the development of the party would also be taken into the consideration, apart from their financial soundness during the selection of candidates.

However, it is being said that senior leaders and those close to the AICC leadership would have more probability of being picked up for the elections.