The first list of 55 names of Congress candidates announced by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) is a mix of seniors including the sitting legislators and Lok Sabha members getting the nod. It also includes over two dozen defectors from other parties who pipped the established players and rank newcomers who are all set to test their luck in the Telangana Assembly election scheduled on November 30, 2023.
The list clearly shows that the Congress high command gave preference to the winning chances of the aspirants. It did not hesitate to dump the seniors if their prospects were not bright. In a prestigious election where it fancies trouncing the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to replicate the Karnataka magic, the Congress has taken a calculated risk by embracing the defectors with open arms.
By giving preference to the defectors, the party has sent a clear signal that winning the election is its top priority. Poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu’s survey also seems to have had an impact in finalising the candidates because some persons had not even applied for party ticket but managed to get it.
