Anantapur: Despite protests, internal bickering and clashes among the representatives, mostly sitting MLAs and MPs, Telugu Desam has dared to field majority of its sitting legislators from Anantapur district which is a strong hold of TD in the state.
Even after speculations over change of candidates from Puttaparthi, Ananta-pur, Madakasira and Hindupur Lok Sabha segments, TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu confirmed tickets for sitting candida-tes, except Kadiri, Singa-namala and Kalyanadu-rgam Assembly segments.
However, Tadipathri Assembly ticket was allotted to sitting MLA J.C. Prabhakar Reddy’s son Asmith Reddy, following request by JC brothers.
Though, Hindupur MP Nimmala Kristappa sought an MLA ticket from Puttaparthi, he was again asked to contest as an MP candidate. Madakasira leader and MLC Gundumala Thippeswamy tried for an MP ticket. However, Kristappa had priority in the quota of weavers. P. Raghunath Reddy was considered for Puttaparthi even after protests by his rivals at the Chief Minister’s residence.
“Mr Naidu had clearly insisted leaders of all sections to concentrate only to get voted to power,” a senior leader said.
Anantapur MP and veteran leader J.C. Diwakar Reddy’s group had differences with Anantapur urban MLA V. Prabhakar Chowdary, Guntakal MLA Jithendra Gowd, Singan-amala MLA Shamantaka-mani and also I and PRD minister Kalava Sriniva-sulu. J.C. Diwakar Reddy reportedly mounted pressure on the high comma-nd to change candidates from Anantapur urban, Rayadurgam, Singanam-ala and Guntakal. He also announced to field his son J.C. Pavan Reddy from Anatnapur LS seat.
Party sources revealed Singanmala, Gooty, Kalya-nadurgam will have new candidates. Naidu was reportedly satisfied with reports on Eeranna, candidate from Madakasira segment who faced disqualification for hiding criminal cases against him in the last elections. Eeranna will be a candidate from Madakasira.
Balakrishna will contest for second time from Hindupur segment.
