In the search for the best and strongest possible candidate for the Warangal (SC) lok Sabha constituency, all the major political parties in Andhra Pradesh are moving very cautiously in finalising the nominees.

While TDP has decided to leave the seat to its ally the BJP, the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti has left the choice of its candidate to the party president and Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao as the office-bearers could not reach unanimity on any name. As there were many strong contenders for the ticket, the party has asked KCR to take the final call.

According to the sources, KCR told the party leaders that he will announce the candidate’s name after considering all the aspects and wanted the party leaders to forget their differences and remain united to ensure party’s victory in the by elections scheduled for November 21.

While KCR was strongly in favour of G Ravi Kumar, the president of Advocates Telangana Joint Action Committee during the struggle for separate State, a technical hitch has come in the way. Warangal seat was reserved for the scheduled caste but Ravi Kumar’s father belonged to backward class and mother was Scheduled Caste. Ravi also studied till matriculation as a SC student. Party sources said that the Chief Minister wanted to take legal opinion before taking a decision. The other names under consideration were Dr Ramesh, president, Telangana Government Doctors Association.

The BJP is also considering the name of a senior doctor and a non-resident Indian P Devaiah, who was aspiring to enter politics for quite some time. Though many old timers of BJP were also keen to contest but the party wants to field somebody resourceful to bear the burden of electioneering against the ruling party.

In Congress, the race was between two former MP G Vivek and S Rajaiah. Vivek, son of veteran later G Venkatswamy had represented Peddapally (SC) constituency in the past.