Election of Telugu Desam candidates M.V.V.S. Murti and Pappala Chalapathi Rao to the two vacancies of local authorities’ constituency in the district to the AP Legislative Council appears to be a formality after party rebel U.V. Ramanamurthy Raju (Kannababu) agreed to withdraw from the contest.
Mr. Kannababu along with Panchayati Raj Minister Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Hyderabad on Wednesday and was reportedly received an assurance from Mr. Naidu that he would be considered for chairman post of a corporation in future.
Mr. Kannababu will be returning to the city on Thursday and after consulting his followers he will announce his withdrawal from the contest, according to Telugu Desam sources.
Being upset over not getting the MLC ticket he was promised when he quit the Congress and joined the Telugu Desam before the 2014 elections, the two-time MLA filed papers for both vacancies.
Papers in order
Nominations of Dr. Murti and Mr. Chalapathi Rao along with their dummy candidates Adari Tulasi Rao and Kandula Venkateswara Rao and Mr. Kannababu were found in order during scrutiny on Wednesday. Nomination papers of Valluri Jayaprakash Babu filed for both seats were rejected on the ground that Form 26 submitted along with them was not in order.
Another former MLA of Madugula G. Ramanaidu, who also met Mr. Naidu in Hyderabad on Wednesday after he was dissuaded by Mr. Patrudu from filing nominations, had also reportedly received assurance from the high command.
Friday is the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
Kannababu may announce his
decision today
