Amidst the animated discussion over who will be the YSR Congress party candidate for the Ongole parliamentary seat in the upcoming general elections in Andhra Pradesh, party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is reportedly finalizing the name of the current Chandragiri MLA, Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy.
According to sources, Jagan is not pleased with the controversy surrounding the Ongole MP seat. While local MLA and former minister Balineni Srinivas Reddy insist that the ticket should go to his friend and current MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, the party president is firmly against it.
Simultaneously, former MP and ex-chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Y V Subba Reddy is eyeing the Ongole seat. However, he faces strong resistance from his Bavamaridi Balineni, as both of them do not get along.
In this context, Chevireddy, one of Jagan's close confidants, has discreetly entered the scene and lobbied for the party ticket for the Ongole seat. Jagan has reportedly given him the green signal.
Sources suggest that Chevireddy has already sent around 300 of his followers to prepare the ground for his contest, and they are actively working in Ongole on his behalf. Despite being considered a non-local, the party is solidly supporting him.
Reportedly, Jagan believes that the party has suffered significantly in Ongole due to internal differences between Subba Reddy and Balineni. He sees Chevireddy as the candidate who can effectively navigate and mitigate conflicts between them.
It remains to be seen whether the Balineni group will extend support to Chevireddy or attempt to sabotage his prospects.
