Naidu renominates eight candidates for LS election

Fate of 2 sitting MPs will be decided in a couple of days

N. Chandrababu Naidu. File photo: CH Vijaya Bhaskar

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu has finalised candidates for 8 Lok Sabha constituencies after hectic discussions with party leaders. The exercise for the remaining constituencies is on.

The fate of two sitting MPs — Rayapati Sambasiva Rao (Narasaraopeta) and Sriram Malyadri (Bapatla) — is expected to be decided in a couple of days. MLC Dokka Manikya Varaparasad, who is keen on contesting from the Bapatla Lok Sabha constituency, has placed his proposal before the party national president.

Madiga candidate

He is optimistic that Mr. Naidu would respond positively to the request that the case of the Madiga community be considered. There is an argument that at least one candidate from the community should be given a chance as the party has decided to field three candidates from the Mala community, party sources say.

The TDP has plans to field candidates from the Mala community from Chittoor, Tirupati and Amalapuram. N. Sivaprasad would be renominated from the Chittoor Lok Sabha seat. Amalapuram MP P. Ravindra quit the party to join the YSRCP.

Balayogi’s son

There is speculation that Harsha Kumar would join the TDP to contest from this seat. But, Mr. Naidu is contemplating fielding Harish, son of former LS Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi, from the constituency, sources say.

Mr. Malyadri’s candidature has been put on hold. There is talk that the party is planning to make him contest from the Tadikonda Assembly segment. Mr. Manikya Varaprasad has, sources say, requested the party national president, to field him from the Tadikonda Assembly segment if not from Bapatla LS.