TDP rebels are worrying party bigwigs as the city heads for civic polls on March 30. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) seems to be facing rough weather because of rebels. Prominent TDP leaders have filed their nominations in no less than 30 out of the 59 divisions.
Among the prominent rebel candidates are TDP former floor leader in the VMC general body Yerubothu Ramana Rao, Nalluri Usha Rani, and Patti Nageswara Rao. In addition to them, TDP Urban affiliated organisations in-charge K. Pattabhiram, Telugu Mahila leader, Mukkanti Narayanamma, are also in the fray. Interestingly, Ms. Usha Rani and Mr. Pattabhi Ram filed their nominations for the 8th Division that was allotted by the party to Jasti Sambasiva Rao.
Mr. Ramana Rao had hoped to get the TDP ticket, but he decided to contest as an Independent when he was denied one. He hopes to upset the result. “I have been loyal to the party since 80s, and served the party in difficult times. Come what may, I will fight it out,” he asserts.
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“The denial of the tickets to the senior leaders could prove to be costly for the party in the elections which is already fighting with its back to the wall,” said a senior leader who was an aspirant for the party ticket.
The party leaders are, now, trying to “assuage” the feelings of the leaders denied tickets saying that they would be given position in the party organisation. TDP Urban president Buddha Venkanna brushed it aside saying that there is a lot of time for withdrawal of nominations.