TDP has done several surveys on whom to field from Nellore Town and Nellore Rural assembly segments in 2019 elections so as to give a strong fight and win over YCP which has posted victories here in last elections.
In all these surveys, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana has become a favourite for Nellore Town as the public mood among different sections is stated to be in favour of his leadership because of his good work in the past four years. If TDP really finalises this choice, it will be the first time ever for Narayana of IIT fame to enter the electoral politics.
A long-time associate of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu right from Venkateswara University days, Narayana has been popular as the head of Narayana Educational Institutions till 2014. After that, he was given MLC post and made Minister in Naidu cabinet.
Meanwhile, YCP considers Nellore district as its stronghold next only to Kadapa. In 2014, the party won seven assembly segments while the remaining three were bagged by the TDP. Afterwards, Gudur MLA P. Sunil shifted loyalties to TDP.
This time, TDP is seriously thinking of giving tough fights to YCP by bringing in candidates with considerable money power and close contacts with local people. Actually, Mayor Aziz has been asking for Nellore Town ticket but TDP leadership has decided to move Aziz to Nellore Rural. There is a considerable Muslim population in Nellore Rural and choice of Aziz is being seen as a better one.
Leaders from the Anam and Nedurumalli political families have joined YCP recently. Seeing this, TDP seems bent upon attracting non-Reddy voters by fielding strong candidates from other communities.
