Wait continues for TDP aspirants

Party yet to announce nominees for seven Assembly seats in the district. Former Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao is strongly pitching for the Bheemunipatnam Assembly constituency and ‘Avanthi’ Srinivasa Rao is tipped for the Lok Sabha.

With discontent in the cadre over allotment of seats to BJP in alliance and rival claimants to the ticket in some constituencies, the TDP still has to announce its nominees for seven of the Assembly constituencies and the Anakapalle Lok Sabha.

Though there is no official declaration on allotment of Visakhapantam North Assembly constituency to the BJP, the TDP cadre are vociferous about their opposition to the move. Some party leaders see Visakhapatnam South as an alternative seat to the BJP but city urban unit president Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar’s supporters have openly criticised the move and hinted at even the Lok Sabha seat prospects being affected if Mr. Ganesh Kumar is denied ticket.

Ganta keen on Bhimili

Former Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao is strongly pitching for the Bheemunipatnam Assembly constituency and ‘Avanthi’ Srinivasa Rao is tipped for the Lok Sabha. However, it will upset the long-time aspiration of Peela Govind. Annamreddy Ramesh, an NRI, is also aspiring for the Lok Sabha ticket.

With Mr. Ganta Srinivasa Rao apparently opting out of the Anakapalle Assembly constituency, the name of his camp follower who switched sides along with him to the TDP, P. Rameshbabu, is doing the rounds for the seat. He hopes to contest from Visakhapatnam North constituency promised to him at the time of joining the party but has turned into a bone of contention between the two parties.

At Elamanchili, party constituency in-charge Sundarapu Vijay Kumar hopes to get the ticket though former MP and four-time MLA Pappala Chalapathi Rao is also in the race. U.V. Ramana Murthy Raju, Congress MLA from 2004, who recently joined the TDP, has not given up his claim yet.

At Payakaraopeta, the party is likely to field constituency in-charge Anita.

Chengala Venkata Rao, its MLA in the past who lost twice to G. Babu Rao, is contesting on the YSRCP ticket.

From Araku, the TDP is likely to change incumbent MLA Siveri Soma and opt for former MLA Kumbha Ravibabu who recently joined the TDP.

A senior leader said the list is likely to be released only after the second phase of elections to MPTC and ZPTCs on Friday.