Parties’ effort pays off, but rebel trouble remains in few constituencies

TPCC chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah and TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao face rebel candidates

By and large, major political parties managed to quell dissension by ensuring that a majority of the rebels withdrew their nomination papers in the Assembly and Parliamentary elections. But, serious trouble was visible in a couple of Assembly constituencies which could embarrass the official nominees.

Two days of concerted efforts seemed to have paid off for Congress but it was a mixed bag in Adilabad and Warangal. If Adilabad DCC president C. Ramachandra Reddy, who entered the fray as a rebel withdrew from the race, Warangal DCC chief Donthi Madhava Reddy vowed to remain in the fray as an Independent.

He not only resigned as DCC chief but also the party’s primary membership for dropping him from Narsampet seat, which was subsequently given to TJAC leader Kathi Venkatswamy. Accusing TPCC chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah of denying him the ticket and changing his name, Mr. Madhava Reddy refused to bow out of the race.

Worse still, the TPCC president himself was facing rebel trouble in Jangaon Assembly constituency where former AP Disabled Welfare Finance Corporation Chairman Bukka Zudson was in the fray. While former Union Minister Kamaluddin Ahmed’s son Riazuddin took back his papers, Mr. Judson stayed put in the race.

Union Minister Jairam Ramesh’s bid to persuade Rajya Sabha member Palvai Goverdhan Reddy to withdraw his daughter Palvai Shravanthi from Munugode constituency did not fructify as she remained in the fray owing to pressure from her supporters and party cadres.

In Jukkal constituency, former MLA Aruna Tara remained in the fray as a Congress rebel while Akula Srinivas (Yellareddy) ignored the party’s plea. In Korutla, J. Narsing Rao, son of former Minister Juvvadi Ratnakar Rao, refused to withdraw.

The CPI leadership was relieved as rebels from Congress opted out. They include P. Sashidhar Reddy (Medak), Rega Kantha Rao (Pinapaka), Chintala Venkateswara Reddy (Bhongir), Gudipati Narsaiah (Tungathurthy), Repala Srinivas (Miryalaguda) and Balu Naik (Devarakonda).

TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao has to face party activist K. Beeraiah Yadav as a rebel in Medak Lok Sabha seat. Adding a twist to the drama, Mr. Yadav lodged a complaint with the Returning Officer saying that he had received threatening calls from two TRS legislators. The party is also facing serious threat from rebel Chandupatla Sunil Reddy, who is pitted against Putha Madhu in Manthani constituency.

TDP too faces a litmus test in Nalgonda Assembly constituency as its senior leader Kancharla Bhupal Reddy refused to withdraw his nomination. However, TDP rebel from Bhadrachalam Assembly seat B. Buchaiah opted out of the contest.

In Suryapet, an interesting drama unfolded as the BJP rebel Sankineni Venkateswara Rao decided to remain in the fray. In a significant development, CPI(M) candidate Mallu Lakshmi opted out of the race and the party has decided to support Mr. Rao. Returning the favour, the former TDP MLA would support the CPI(M) Lok Sabha candidate Nandyala Narasimha Reddy from Nalgonda.

YSRC rebel candidate Yadavalli Krishna remained in the fray as an Independent from the Kothagudem Assembly seat.