The ruling party candidates are worried about the impact of anti-incumbency on the upcoming elections. BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao had initially mentioned the possibility of changing 7-10 candidates based on survey reports. However, due to changing political equations, it is now unlikely that many changes will be made. KCR may only replace one or two candidates to accommodate a BC candidate from the Mudiraj community. Making changes at this point in the campaign could disrupt the party’s plans and cause confusion among party members and voters.
Two specific changes will be made: a new candidate will be named for the Malkajgiri Assembly constituency as the current MLA has switched to Congress, and a BC candidate from the Mudiraj community will contest in the erstwhile Mahbubnagar district. Some senior leaders have suggested changing a few more candidates who are facing anti-incumbency in their constituencies.
During the Munugode bypoll, the party won by a narrow margin of 15,000 votes with the help of 100 leaders campaigning. Now, with everyone focused on their own campaigns, it may be difficult to overcome the anti-incumbency factor. These candidates will heavily rely on star campaigners K T Rama Rao and T Harish Rao.