The BJP has fielded a fresh face Madhavi Latha Kompella, the chairperson of a private hospital chain against AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi for Hyderabad seat in Telangana.
Although the BJP leaders had been giving statements that they will put up a strong fight in Hyderabad seat against Owaisi, they chose a new entrant instead of veteran leaders.
Madhavi Latha, the chairperson of Virinchi Hospital is known for her charitable and religious activities, particularly in slum areas of Old City, the bastion of Owaisi brothers.
The party has nominated Etala Rajender, who lost both seats he contested in Assembly elections, from Malkajgiri, the largest Parliamentary constituency in the country.
The BJP today declared candidates for nine Lok Sabha seats in Telangana including three sitting MPs. But the party did not release any list for Andhra Pradesh as the suspense continues over the possibility of an alliance with TDP-JSP.
The party retained state president and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy from Secunderabad, Bandi Sanjay Kumar from Karimnagar, Dharmapuri Arvind from Nizamabad but did not name Soyam Bapu Rao, the sitting MP from Adilabad seat in the first list due to local feud.
Those who had joined the party from the BRS were also accommodated including BB Patil from Zahirabad and Boora Narsaiah Goud from Bhongir seat.
Former BRS MP P Ramulu, who joined the BJP recently, got the ticket for his son P Bharath from his own seat Nagarkurnool.
Another former BRS MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, who joined hands with the BJP after a short stint in the Congress, has been fielded from Chevella seat.