Anantapur: Naidu plans to change candidates following protests, allegations

Anantapur: TD high command plans to change candidates in few segments including Lok Sabha from Anantapur district following protests and allegations against sitting candidates.

Puttaparthi MLA Palle Raghunath Reddy faced heat from his dissidents at Amaravati after a group of leaders from Puttaparthi Assembly segment staged protest at the residence of Chief Minister.

Leaders and aspirants were moving steps to appease Mr Naidu with indications of party high command to change candidates. Two days ago, TD cadre took out rally at Kalyanadurgam against the sitting MLA U. Hanumantharaya Chowda-ry demanding the TD high command to change candidate following dissidence against him.

The Anantapur MP and veteran leader J.C. Diwakar Reddy reportedly succeeded to bring former DCC president K. Madhusudhan Guptha into TD despite opposition by local MLA Jithendra Gowd in Gunt-akal Assembly segment. Mr Guptha joined TD on Wednesday in Amaravati. Sources said, Mr Diwakar Reddy was seeking change of candidate in Anantapur LS segment.

Mean while leaders from urban segment led by leader Jakiulla were demanding to change candidate in Anantapur. The group was opposing Anantapur urban MLA V. Prabhakar Chowdary.

In addition, MLC Gundu-mala Thippeswamy was in the race for Hindpur Lok Sabha segment while the sitting MP Nimmala Krist-appa asked for MLA ticket. Speculation was in rife over change of candidates from Kadiri, Madakasira and Singanamala segments. Already the chief minister had sent signals to former minister Samanthakamani offering MLC and her daughter sitting MLA Yamini Bala will not have opportunity.