Even as the YSR Congress has decided to stay away from the by-election to Tirupati Assembly constituency, it may not be a cakewalk for the Telugu Desam Party’s candidate M. Suguna, as it appears that the Congress in no mood to leave the ground.
The bypoll to the constituency was declared after TDP MLA M.Venkatramana died and now, the party is all set to field his widow M. Suguna.
The YSR Congress has almost made its stand clear to stay away from the by-poll, with its leaders citing that they would stick to the “unwritten rule” of letting a seat go to the next kin of a representative, in case of his/ her untimely death.
Now, the TDP camp is rejoicing with its ‘closest contender’ skipping the bypoll, but the Congress is apparently in no mood to make it easy for the ruling party. Trying to gain ground after the poll debacle, the Congress is now keen on strengthening its cadre at the grassroots level , for which the by-election may come in handy.
While the former MP Chinta Mohan has indicated that the Congress would fight the bypolls, speculations are rife that the party leadership is also hell bent to prove a point. “We are certainly in [the bypoll]. We see no reason to let it go uncontested,” Dr. Mohan told The Hindu on Sunday.
Further, AICC General Secretary Digvijaya Singh and PCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy are scheduled to visit Tirupati in a few days to take a final call and handpick the candidate.
While Mabbu Devanarayana Reddy, who contested in 2014 polls, is tipped to be the candidate again, sources indicate that there are close to 10 aspirants in the race, mostly the newcomers. Phone calls made to Mr. Raghuveera Reddy by this correspondent were not returned.
With the sudden announcement, M. Suguna, accompanied by her family members, called on Dr. Mohan on Sunday seeking his party’s support.
Suguna meets Chinta
She apparently recalled the close association between Dr. Mohan and her husband till the later decided to end his three-decade-old association with the Congress.
However, Dr. Mohan remained unmoved and left the decision to the party, close family sources said.
We are certainly in [the bypoll]. We see no reason to let it go uncontested
Chinta Mohan,former MP and Congress leader
