Chandrababu Silently Changes 5 Candidates

Telugu Desam Party president has silently ringed in four changes to the party’s list of MLA and MP candidates. The changes were made earlier today and they have been met with a series of internal agitations.

These changes were publicized while Naidu handed over the B-forms to TDP candidates today. The changes are imposed in constituencies, namely Madakasira, Madugula, Venkatagiri, Undi, and Paderu. All these constituencies had different contestants in the contest earlier and they are all replaced by new candidates now.

Madakasira had Sunil in the contest earlier and he has been replaced by MS Raju, in a last-minute tactical decision. As expected, Mantena Rama Raju has been sidelined to accommodate the much-talked-about Raghu Rama Krishna Raju in Undi. Rama Raju’s followers protested by removing TDP flags at the TDP office in Undi and locking up the premises.

Paderu ticket was given to Giddi Eshwari by replacing Venkata Ramesh Naidu. Bandaru Sathyanarayana, a problematic candidate who threatened to commit suicide if he doesn’t get the ticket has been given the Madugula MLA ticket. This meant that Pyla Prasad, an NRI who spent crores of rupees on campaigning and electioneering has been left with nothing.

Coming to Venkatagiri, the ticket was adjusted for Kurugundla Ramakrishna in a last-minute decision. But this change was welcomed by the cadres though. Earlier the ticket was given to Ramakrishna’s daughter.

Barring the Venkatagiri constituency, all other 4 constituencies burned up with agitations by the supporters of replaced candidates. This is a tactical decision by Naidu as safely winning these seats comes above all else for him as the party leader.