Star Power: Vijayashanthi Enters Telangana Legislative Council Race

The AICC has announced yesteryear actress Vijayashanthi and two others as candidates for the Telangana Legislative Council elections. Vijayashanthi, previously with BRS and BJP, joins Congress's effort to represent women and backward classes. The allied CPI is allotted one seat in the pre-poll arrangement.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) revealed its candidates for the upcoming Telangana Legislative Council elections, with noted actress Vijayashanthi headlining the list. Alongside her, Congress has fielded Addanki Dayakar and Kethavath Shankar Naik, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) is given one seat as part of their coalition strategy.

The election arises from the retirement of five current members, including four from the BRS and one from AIMIM. Historically a member of BRS (previously TRS), Vijayashanthi has held a Lok Sabha position, founded a party campaigning for Telangana statehood, and later affiliated with BRS, BJP, and Congress.

Focused on inclusivity, TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud indicated Vijayashanthi's selection as part of Congress's bid to empower women and marginalized communities. Meanwhile, BRS announced Sravan Dasoju, who has varied experience across sectors, as its candidate.

(With inputs from agencies.)