Suspense prevails over the fate of senior Telugu Desam Party leaders including former ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Bandaru Satyanaryana Murthy, Devineni Uma Maheshwara Rao and Kala Venkat Rao, as party president N Chandrababu Naidu released the third list of 11 candidates for the assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.
The TDP had previously released the names of 128 candidates in their first and second lists on February 24th and March 11th, respectively.
Under the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance, the TDP will be contesting in 144 assembly seats out of 175. With the release of the three lists, the TDP has announced 139 candidate names, while 5 names are yet to be released.
The list includes: Gouth Sirisha from Srikakulam, Govinda Rao from Pathapatnam, Gondu Shankar from Srikakulam, Kola Lalitha Kumari from S Kota, Vanamadi Venkateshwar Rao from Kakinada City, Ayina Bathula Ananda Rao from Amalapuram, Bode Prasad from Penamaluru, Vasantha Venkata Krishna Prasad from Mylavaram, Chadalavada Aravind Babu from Narsaraopet, Malakondaiay Yadav from Chirala and Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy from Sarvepalli.
As usual, Naidu claimed that the third list incorporates inclusivity and reflects public opinion. He said each candidate was carefully selected, taking into account the preferences and needs of the electorate.
However, the TDP chief has not confirmed the seats of Ganta Srinivasa Rao, who is aspiring for Bheemili, Devineni Uma Maheshwara Rao who is likely to get the ticket, as Naidu preferred Vasantha Krishna Prasad from Mylavaram, Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy, who aspired for Pendurthy seat and Kala Venkat Rao Etcherla.
It remains to be seen how Naidu handles these seniors. Maybe, there will be clarity on their position, once the BJP and Jana Sena Party finalise their candidates.
