Maverick former MP from Narasapuram Kanumuru Raghu Ramakrishnam Raju is facing the proverbial – “Naa ghar ka, Naa ghat ka..” (Neither here, nor there) kind of situation in politics.
He tried to play a double game with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Telugu Desam Party in getting the ticket for the MP seat from Narasapuram, but he could not succeed in getting either.
He even tried to get into the good books of Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan and lobby for the ticket, in case he fails to get the TDP or BJP ticket, but the Jana Sena Party chief did not entertain him.
Analysts say had Raju joined any of these three parties at least a year ago, he would have been accommodated somewhere. But by playing hide and seek game till the last moment, he lost his credibility.
According to reports, the former MP is now trying to join the TDP to survive in politics. It is learnt he might meet the TDP president on Monday and ask him to consider his name at least for the assembly elections.
The BJP, which had originally been allotted Vizianagaram Lok Sabha seat as part of seat sharing talks with the TDP, has now backed out and took the Rajampet Lok Sabha seat and announced the name of former chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Now, Raju is said to have requested Naidu to allot him the Vizianagaram seat, as he is also a Kshatriya and there is a sizeable Kshtratriya votes in this constituency, which was originally represented by P Ashok Gajapathi Raju.
But, the local TDP leaders, including the supporters of Ashok Gajapathi Raju are opposing Raghu Ramakrishna Raju. Secondly, the local BJP leaders are also strongly resisting the entry of Raju.
Thirdly, Naidu is said to be considering fielding former minister Kala Venkat Rao, who could not get Etcherla seat, from Vizianagaram LS constituency. If he agrees, then, there will be no chance to Raju.
Alternatively, Raju is said to be asking for an assembly seat, preferably Undi, but Naidu is not interested in making any changes in the original list of candidates.
So, Raju has no option but to wait for good time. Till then, it’s bad time for him!
