Tirupati MLA may get one more chance

Tirupati: If the words of Chief Minister and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu are any indication of the candidatures for the ensuing Assembly Elections, it appeared certain that sitting MLA from Tirupati Assembly constituency M Suguna will get the party ticket for the second time. In that case, she obviously will become the first candidate since the inception of the TDP to get ticket twice from Tirupati constituency. The party has chosen a new candidate in every election from 1983.

This time also, the party leaders, who were in fray for the ticket hoped that this sentiment will work in their favour and sitting MLA will not get a chance to contest for a second term. However, during his recent visit to the city, Naidu took a strong note of resentment in the party over the candidature of Suguna and made indirect remarks to express his stand. He clearly said that problems expressed by other leaders were addressed which was an obvious reference to MLA's son-in-law's interference in the party affairs.

The supporters of MLA were of the view that these comments of Naidu made it clear that Suguna will get the ticket beyond any doubts. Chandrababu also made a strong note of dissension among certain leaders and made it clear that such acts will never be tolerated. It was learnt that while speaking to TUDA Chairman G Narasimha Yadav at the airport also, Naidu was very serious.

Referring the meeting of a few leaders, who have been aspiring for the ticket, in a hotel recently, the TDP chief has underlined the importance of discipline in the party and asked them to change their attitude. Later, in the public meeting also, he said that he knows how to recognise the disciplined leaders. Based on various surveys and IVRS voting, best candidates will be selected, and everybody should fall in line to work for the victory of that candidate.

With this, followers of Suguna were saying that have been only waiting for an official announcement. They were also saying that, the meetings of dissident leaders have helped them in understanding whom they can trust really, which will also help them in the Municipal Corporation elections in future.

It may be recalled that, in 2014, the party has finalised the candidature of M Venkataramana, who was then sitting MLA from Congress. He won with a huge margin of 41,539 votes over YSRCP candidate. After his sudden death in 2015, his widow Suguna got the ticket and won by a margin of 1,16,524 votes over Congress candidate. It is also learnt that the Naidu has told the son of former Minister and Srikalahasti sitting MLA B Gopalakrishna Reddy's son Sudhir Reddy to start working in the constituency.

The four-time MLA Gopalakrishna Reddy seems to have expressed inability to contest again due to his ill-health and asked the party to consider the candidature of his son. Former MLA SCV Naidu has also been trying to get the ticket from there. However, Chandrababu could not arrive at a decision on Satyavedu constituencySatyavedu constituencySatyavedu constituency yet.