Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao is among the contenders for the Hyderabad–Rangareddy–Mahabubnagar Graduate MLC constituency, while the Congress is considering caste representation for three upcoming Governor’s quota MLC vacancies after allocating both Graduate MLC tickets to Reddy leaders.
The BJP has begun consultations to shortlist candidates for the two Graduate MLC constituencies. Ramchander Rao, who represented the Hyderabad constituency from 2015 to 2021, is a prominent contender. However, the party has yet to make a final decision on his candidature. He lost the seat to BRS candidate Surabhi Vani Devi in 2021.
The Congress has fielded Sama Rammohan Reddy from Hyderabad–Rangareddy–Mahabubnagar and Ramreddy Sarvotham Reddy from Warangal–Khammam–Nalgonda. With both candidates belonging to the Reddy community, the party is reportedly considering other communities for the three Governor’s quota vacancies expected in November.
According to party sources, one seat may go to a Brahmin candidate and another to the Padmashali community. The third could be allocated to a Scheduled Caste or another Backward Classes community. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has previously promised MLC representation to the Padmashali community, strengthening the prospects of aspirants such as Anil Eravathri and Pavitravani, daughter of Telangana movement leader Konda Laxman Bapuji.
Names being discussed for the Brahmin seat reportedly include government adviser Harkara Venugopal Rao, Dayasagar and Pawan Malladi. The final choices remain undecided.
Meanwhile, the BRS has yet to finalise its Hyderabad Graduate MLC candidate. Former MLA Kasani Gnaneshwar is among those reportedly under consideration. For Warangal–Khammam–Nalgonda, the party is reportedly considering A. Rakesh Reddy, who previously contested the constituency on a BJP ticket before joining the BRS.
With Graduate MLC elections expected in early 2027, candidate credibility, community representation and political experience are likely to shape the parties’ strategies. The Congress must balance competing community demands, while the BJP weighs whether Ramchander Rao can help it reclaim the Hyderabad seat.
