TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu’s announcement of party candidates for 13 Lok Sabha seats is said to be a slap in the face for many BJP veteran leaders, who are hoping to contest in some of those constituencies. These veterans include those having proximity with chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and also some former TDP leaders.
In fact, for the last two years these leaders are focusing on certain constituencies, hoping to contest in the polls. After BJP decided to have an alliance with TDP, they felt it would be certain for their winning in the polls, with the support of TDP and Jana Sena.
But surprisingly, Chandrababu Naidu shelved their hopes by convincing BJP high-command that it would be difficult for them to win from those constituencies, where TDP candidates are having better chances. He made a detailed presentation on ground realities.
BJP high-command also showed more interest in winning a number of seats, than accommodating some `self-styled’ leaders. So it has given a green signal for Naidu’s proposals.
BJP’s Rajya Sabha member G V L Narasimha Rao, whose tennue coming to an end in a few days, is cultivating Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha seat for the last two years. Even some RSS leadership also brought pressure to keep up this seat, stating it was earlier in 2014 was won by BJP.
BJP and RSS leaders are hoping to keep up this seat. But with the announcement of the TDP candidate, now it is clear that GVL, whose proximity with YSRCP is well known, cannot contest in the polls.
Likewise, former TDP MPs Sujana Choudary and CM Ramesh are eager to contest in Lok Sabha polls for the first time. While Sujana Choudhary eyed Vijayawada or Eluru, CM Ramesh insisted for Anakapalli or Visakhapatnam. But the TDP list dashed their hopes.
In the same way, former state BJP chief Somu Veerraju is keen to contest from Rajahmundry. But the present trend shows it may not be possible for him. Ambitious All India secretary Sathya KUmar is keen to contest from Hindupur. Both state vice president Vishnuvardhan Reddy and Swamy Paripoornananda are also aspiring for this seat. But now TDP announced its candidate.
Now, only seats left for BJP are Araku, Vizianagaram, Narsapur, Rajahmundry, Tirupati and Rajampet, which were originally offered by Chandrababu Naidu, last month when he met home minister Amit Shah. TDP circles stating that for the first time Chandrababu Naidu took a firm stand without bowing down to pressures.
