Even after the Election Commission issued notification for Visakhapatnam MLC by-poll from local bodies and the YCP candidate Botsa Satyanarayana is about to file his nomination on Monday, the ruling TDP-led coalition is uncertain about contesting from here.
As YCP has two third of voters, TDP can win only by encouraging massive defections from the opposition party, for which several TDP leaders said to be not showing interest. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who held a long meeting with leaders of TDP, Jana Sena and BJP from Visakhapatnam on this issue, could not take a decision.
He held discussions with them on winning chances of candidates fielded by the ruling coalition. Defeat of the candidate, many felt may send wrong signals to the cadre within three months after formation of the government and may boost morale of YCP cadre.
Leaders of these three parties also said to be divided on contesting the poll. Though some leaders expressed confidence that a large number of YCP cadre at field-level is demoralized and cultivating discontent against their party leadership, which may help for the ruling coalition to win the seat.
But, many said to be not sure that they can mobilize required numbers to win the by-poll and suggested it will be better to stay away from the poll.
In view of divergent opinions expressed in the meeting, Chandrababu Naidu has constituted a six-member committee to examine all aspects in more depth before coming to a decision on this. The committee consist of AP TDP president Palla Srinivas, former minister Bandaru Satyanarayanamurthy, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita, former minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Jana Sena leader Panchakarla Ramesh Babu and BJP floor leader in the assembly Vishnukumar Raju.
They will discuss with other leaders and convey their opinion to Chandrababu in two days. The YCP has already announced the name of former minister Botsa Satyanarayana as its candidate.
