Several journalists in Andhra Pradesh are nursing political ambitions and are keen on testing their fortunes in the next elections, according to the Times of India. Analysts say that though it is not new for journalists taking to politics, what is interesting is that they have not seen such a rush before.
Some colourful details:
Sources say that many of them were inspired to take the political plunge after the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) announced recently that it would give at least three tickets to the members of the fourth estate. All the journalists are from the Telugu media and most of them are district level correspondents.
Staff correspondent of Vaartha T Maddaleti is moving heaven and earth to bag a Telugu Desam Party nomination from Kurnool Lok Sabha constituency or the Yemmiganur Assembly constituency. Belonging to the numerically strong backward caste community Boya, Maddileti had lobbied unsuccessfully for a Congress ticket in the 2004 elections. This time, he is hopeful that TDP would oblige him as Chandrababu Naidu has promised tickets to more backward castes from Rayalaseema.
Another journalist, Myna Swamy, wants to contest from Gorantal Assembly constituency in Anantapur district and is seeking the ticket from Chiranjeevi's Prajarajyam party. A third scribe from Rayalaseema trying for the Congress ticket is Saddapalli Khuda Baksh of Saakshi daily who is based at Kadapa. Baksh is trying for a nomination from Kadiri Assembly constituency in Anantapur district.
A senior journalist from West Godavari district D Somasundram, with a Left background, is also an aspirant for a ticket from the Prajarajyam party. Thota Bhavanarayana, a senior TV journalist, is positioning himself for a ticket from the Uppal Assembly constituency from the Prajarajyam party. From the Telangana region, Palle Ravi Kumar (Andhra Jyothi), P V Srinivas (TV9), Narayana Reddy (HM TV), Mallepalli Lakshmaiah (editor, HMTV) and Virahat Ali (HM TV) are said to be the aspirants for TRS tickets. Another TV journalist, R Sailesh Reddy is also said to be in the fray.
