The Hindu : Rumblings in BJP over LS candidate

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 28, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Rumblings in BJP over LS candidate

By Our Special Correspondent

RAJAHMUNDRY, MARCH 27. Even as supporters of the BJP candidate for the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat, Kantipudi Sarvarayudu, celebrated his nomination in the city, rival BJP group held a meeting in the office of the former MP, S.B.P.B.K. Satyanarayana Rao, late on Friday night and demanded a rethink on the selection of candidate.

The former district unit president and State council member, Bonda Venkanna Rao, the State Dalit Marcha vice-president, P. Prakash, corporator, Nekkella Babu Rao, and the party conveners of Assembly segments -- Thadi Narayana Reddy and Attili Sriramachandra Murthy - attended the meet.

Terming the selection of Mr. Sarvarayudu "improper," the leaders wanted the party to take a wise decision for ensuring party's survival in the district.

The leaders said they would launch an agitation and organise indefinite fast.

Addressing presspersons after the procession in which the former MLA and TDP candidate for the Rajahmundry Assembly seat, Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary, and other TDP leaders participated, Mr. Sarvarayudu said development during the NDA rule would be the main plank of his campaign.

He said that the Assembly segments of Burugupudi, Kadiam and Kovvuru which formed part of the Rajahmundry Lok Sabhas seat remained backward and he would concentrate more on these areas.

Mr. Sarvarayudu had difficult time in answering questions as to why ticket was denied to Mr. Satyanarayana Rao whom he described as an "honest man" and had done good work in all the Assembly segments.

It was the decision of the party, Mr. Sarvarayudu, who had lost deposit in the 1991 and 1996 Lok Sabha elections, said, adding that he would meet Mr. Satyanarayana Rao and others and seek support.

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Andhra Pradesh