After a series of discussions and bargaining’s, finally the Telugu Desam Party has conceded North Andhra Grauate MLC seat for its allay BJP, for which the nomination process was already started yesterday. Though the BJP is yet to announce its candidate, for all practical purposes its youth leader PVN Madhav is said to be its candidate.
BJP’s state election committee will finalise the candidate tomorrow and forward to the Centre for its approval. Many other party leaders, including J Pridhviraj, Ch Ramakotaiah and Thota Vijaya Lakshmi were also lobbying for the party seat. However, the party leadership is said to be finalised Madhav’s candidate, who is son of party’s stalwart and former state president PV Chalapathi Rao.
Meanwhile, the Left parties’ candidate, A Ajasarma, has already started his campaign. With the support of various trade unions, teachers and CPM and CPI cadre, Ajasarma will be filing his nomination today.
Senior journalist VV Ramana Murthy, who is also in the fray campaigning intensively. As the main Opposition party, YSRCP, is not fielding its candidate, the cadre is maintaining rapport with Ramana Murthy. He will file his nomination tomorrow.
The Congress has already announced prominent party leader from Vizianagaram Yedla Adiraju as its candidate. He will also file nominations tomorrow.
The BJP feels their main rival would be Left party candidate as independent candidate does not have cadre to lead the election campaign and other electioneering works, though he is ahead in campaign.
The main hurdle for BJP candidate is likely to be its failure of meeting promises made during bifurcation of the state. Most crucial issues emerging as major election issues are Special Category Status to the state and Railway Zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters
