Intense lobbying has begun for the post of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) Administrative Board as the tenure of its present members came to an end on Friday.
Senior Congress leader K Bapiraju was nominated to the post of TTD chairman on August 24 last year and he took the oath on September 2. While Bapiraju has been doing intense lobbying to get another extension, he is facing tough competition from other contenders from the Congress party.
Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, who openly expressed displeasure after having failed to get himself nominated for the post last year, is trying hard to get the opportunity this time. Sources say that Sambasiva Rao is trying to project himself as the most suitable candidate for the post before the Congress High Command. However, another group of Congress leaders from Guntur is reportedly trying to foil his attempts.
Former MP T Subbarami Reddy too is in the race for the coveted post. He has already served on the post for two terms and was trying his luck for the third time. However, his failure to win the recently held by-elections from the Nellore Lok Sabha seat against YSRCP candidate Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy is likely to become hurdle in his race for the post.
Another former chairman of TTD DK Adikeshashulu is emerging as a strong contender. He is banking on his proximity with Rajya Sabha MP K Chiranjeevi and active role in Tirupati by-elections. However, Chiranjeevi himself is reportedly lobbying to get his brother-in-law Allu Arvind nominated for the post. Since only two leaders of erstwhile Praja Rajyam Party were accomodated in the State Cabinet after party's merger, he is reportedly seeking Allu Arvind's nomination as the head of prestigious TTD Board.
Sources say that the Congress High Command is likely to take a final decision in this regard only next month.