Finally, Telugu Desam Party President and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu successfully appeased the disgruntled leader of his party, former Minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy, by accommodating him in the Madugula assembly seat.
Initially, Naidu had announced the candidacy of NRI candidate Pyla Prasad for the Madugula seat, and Prasad had already commenced campaigning.
However, recent surveys suggested that Prasad might not pose a significant challenge to YSRCP candidate Budi Anuradha, daughter of Deputy Chief Minister Budi Muthyala Naidu.
Furthermore, local TDP leaders were discontented with Prasad's candidacy, as despite his financial resources, he lacked grassroots support. Additionally, Jana Sena Party cadres also opposed him.
Simultaneously, BJP candidate from the Anakapalli parliamentary constituency, C M Ramesh, realized that Prasad could be a liability for him, potentially impacting the party's prospects in the parliamentary seat.
Ramesh promptly alerted Naidu, who then urged Prasad to withdraw from the contest, assuring to address his interests once in power.
Subsequently, Naidu consulted Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy and persuaded him to contest from Madugula.
Although Bandaru had insisted on the Pendurthi seat, allocated to Jana Sena as part of the alliance, Naidu clarified the unlikelihood of changing the Pendurthy candidate and implored him to accept Madugula.
Meanwhile, CM Ramesh visited Bandaru's residence and held discussions, persuading the former minister to accept Madugula. In exchange, Naidu agreed to grant a prominent position to Bandaru's daughter in Pendurthi.
Naidu is expected to gain clarity on the Anaparthi and Undi seats within a day or two.
If all progresses smoothly, Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy will secure the party ticket from Anaparthi, while Kanmuru Raghu Ramakrishna Raju will represent Undi.
