Foxy politico Rayapati Sambasiva Rao has demanded two seats for his family in the 2024 assembly elections. Though he himself might not contest due to advancing age and financial problems, he is said to be asking seats for his son Rangababu and his brother Gopalakrishna’s daughter Dr Sailaja. It is still three years to the next assembly elections, but he is said to be moving his pawns to secure two seats for his family.

That Rayapati is trying to push the case of his son is too well-known. In the 2019 elections too, he has lobbied hard for Sattenapalli Assembly seat. However, the then speaker Kodela Sivaprasad had put his foot down and contested from the constituency. But this time around, Kodela’s demise has left a vacuum in the constituency. For the past two years, there is no incharge for Sattenapalli assembly constituency. Though Kodela’s son Sivaramakrishna has been demanding that he be made the constituency incharge, the TDP boss is not amenable to the idea. Also, there is strident opposition to Sivaramakrishna’s demand from within the TDP cadre. Taking advantage of this, Rayapati put forth his demand.

But, why is he demanding two seats? Sources say that Rayapati feels that if he demands two seats, he will get at least one seat. The fact is in Guntur district, except the Sattenapalli seat, all other seats have party incharges. So, who will vacate his seat and allow Sailaja to contest. Sources say, Rayapati’s target is to get a party ticket for Rangaraju and not for Sailaja. So let us wait and watch how things take shape in Guntur politics.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has launched raids at the residence and offices of former MP and TDP leader Rayapati Sambasiva Rao today. The raids and searches were begun in connection with the Transtroy case. It is well known the TDP leaders have come under the CBI and the IT scanner for a long time now. Several key documents were stated to have been seized. Rayapati has been facing charges of default from the banks.

Rayapati’s firms have taken Rs. 300 Cr loans from the Indian Bank but have defaulted in repayments. Based on the complaint filed by the bank, the CBI has filed a case and began investigation. Rayapati is among one of the long standing leaders and politicians in the Telugu states.

For a long time, Rayapati Sambasiva Rao was in the Congress party but he shifted his loyalty to the TDP at the time of 2014 AP Reorganisation. The CBI and the IT raids were also conducted on other TDP leaders like CM Ramesh. They later joined the BJP.

Mr. Sambasiva Rao got elected as Narasaraopet MP in 2014 on TDP ticket but he lost the 2019 election. The Transtroy was also involved in the Polavaram project works for sometime.