The TDP cadre opposed the allotment of Visakhapatnam North Assembly constituency to BJP as a part of electoral alliance. The activists, who met under the leadership of constituency-in-charge Bharanikana Rama Rao here on Wednesday, expressed their anguish at the ticket being given on a platter to BJP.
Mr. Rama Rao said for 10 years now the party had no MLA from the constituency and allotting the seat to BJP was not acceptable to the cadre. The party should allot a ticket to someone from the backward classes as the other parties did so.
He, however, said it was important for party president N. Chandrababu Naidu and BJP leader Narendra Modi to win in the State and Centre respectively and to strengthen their hands a TDP candidate should be nominated.
Telugu Mahila district president Annamreddy Vani said the constituency was a stronghold of TDP and it should not be allotted to BJP. She urged Mr. Naidu to reconsider his decision.
Kiran, a party worker, said BJP had no cadre strength in the constituency and allotting the seat to it would damage the party.
With indications given earlier that Pendurti MLA P. Rameshbabu who joined TDP would contest from the North constituency, there was an altercation at the meeting with a section of workers opposing the name of Mr. Rama Rao being mentioned as the party nominee by his supporters. They tried to rush to the dais but were prevented from doing so.
However, Mr. Rama Rao himself clarified towards the end that who was the candidate did not matter but the seat should stay with the TDP.
Former corporators, S. Sitaramanjaneyulu, G. Sambasiva Rao, A.S.N. Raju and Mukka Mutyala Naidu and several TDP ward presidents were among those present.
