The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : TDP's choice triggers protest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 04, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

TDP's choice triggers protest

By S. Ramu

NALGONDA, APRIL 3. The Telugu Desam Party's experiment with four new candidates --`neutrals' in party parlances -- has stirred up a hornets' nest in the district. The party has given a chance for an IPS officer, two State Government employees and an advocate triggering widespread protest in their respective constituencies.

The Guntur range IG, Poreddy Chandrasekhar Reddy, a native of Komatikunta village in Suryapet mandal, could manage to get the Miryalaguda Assembly ticket despite a hue and cry from seasoned politicians. The late N.T. Rama Rao's disciple and former ZP chairperson, C.D. Ravi Kumar, tendered his resignation protesting against the denial of ticket. He unsuccessfully fought for the same segment in 1983 and tried for ticket in vain in the previous elections.

The Miryalaguda Municipal Chairperson, Chillamcherla Vijaya Kumar, and a couple of his staunch supporters also quit the party posts but the party supremo, N. Chandrababu Naidu, took care of their bruised egos at a one-to-one meeting.

The party senior leader and Munugode constituency in-charge, Jella Markandeyulu, is upset with the high command's decision to allot the seat to Siluveru Kashinath, additional public prosecutor, Nalgonda. An active party activist, Mr. Kasinath served as Devarakonda sarpanch from 1981 to 1987. Mr. Jella's supporters are using every platform to express their resentment.

The Devarakonda constituency in-charge, Vasya Naik, too got the shock of his life when the local Mandal Revenue Officer, Vadthya Shakru Naik, was picked up for the seat by Mr. Naidu. Mr. Shakru Naik, who worked in Devarakonda sub-division for a long time, had won `Best MRO' award for five times. Though the local cadre is reportedly giving a cold shoulder to him, the "MRO saab'' could garner the support of Vadthya Ramesh, who wanted to take on him in the elections.

Amid high drama, Palvai Rajani Kumari, a native of Timmapuram village in Arvapally mandal and Valuation Officer at the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad, got the B-form only five hours before the deadline for filing of nomination papers. Since the campaign is being personally looked after by the District TDP president, A. Sudarshan, there is no protest by aspirants.

In fact, Mr. Sudarshan himself was a strong contender before Mr.Naidu decided to allocate the SC seat to a woman.

The Congress allotted the Suryapet seat to a neutral candidate denying renomination for Dosapati Gopal. A native of Kudakuda village in Chivvemla mandal and retired commercial tax officer, V. Venkaiah, is also a new face for local party workers. The CPI also fielded an advocate and party activist, Ramawath Ravindra Kumar, for the Devarakonda (ST) seat. He worked as the sarpanch of Serupally village and enjoys a good rapport with tribals.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh