Hyderabad: Cine actor Ali may contest on TDP ticket mostly from Guntur Assembly constituency. With Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu assuring MLA ticket to Ali if he intends to enter politics.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is considering a proposal of fielding minority candidate as Madhali Giridhar on TDP ticket lost in Guntur Assembly elections. SM Ziauddin from TDP won two times in Guntur Assembly constituency against Congress candidate Mohmad Johny. But, TDP lost its grip over the Guntur constituency since 2005, when Congress candidate Sheik Subhani won it. Since Ziauddin lost in 2009 elections, TDP fielded non-minority candidate Madhali Giridhar in 2014 elections.
Until 2014 elections, voters in two constituencies in Guntur city supported only one party. But, in 2014 elections, Modugula Venugopala Reddy on TDP ticket won in Guntur West constituency, while YSRCP candidate Mohmad Mustafa won Guntur East constituency. Minority voters are in majority in Guntur East constituency and TDP wants to field minority candidate. Hence, it’s keen on Ali, said a senior leader.
TDP supremo Naidu is also in favour of Ali for Guntur East constituency. Naidu is scheduled to meet on Guntur Parliamentary constituency on Monday and Tuesday. This meeting may give clarity over potential candidates.
Ali is a close associate of Pawan Kalyan and speculation was rife over his possible contest on Jana Sena. Ali’s recent meeting with YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy also triggered speculation over his joining the party.
