In the 2019 general polls, Nandamuri Balakrishna’s second son-in-law Bharat contested for Vizag Lok Sabha seat. It was a triangular battle and Bharat was defeated by non-local MVV Satyanarayana in YSRCP’s massive wave. The latest political developments in Vizag suggest that TDP is searching for a new face to contest for the Vizag Parliament segment.
The TDP leadership has reportedly asked Bharat to contest for the Assembly instead and the constituency that was assigned to is Bheemunipatnam also known as Bheemili. With clear instructions from the leadership, Bharat is relocating himself to Bheemili and with this there will be a slight change in existing positions in Vizag TDP.
Current Vizag north constituency MLA Ganta Srinivas Rao is likely to shift to Gajuwaka (it has been Ganta’s sentiment to contest from different constituencies in every polls) and his sentiment may work in his favour. And Palla Srinivasulu who is the in-charge of Gajuwaka constituency, would be contesting for the Vizag Lok Sabha seat. Though these proposals are not yet confirmed by the TDP leadership, insiders say that the recommendations can be adapted.
Yet there might be a roadblock here in the form of BJP. In 2014, BJP’s Kambhampati Hari Babu won over YS Vijayamma and in the next polls, the party wants to contest and win by all odds. As BJP is in alliance with Jana Sena, we may not be surprised if Daggubati Purandeshwari is roped in to contest.
All these assumptions might look confusing and will take longer time for a full clarification. But the only evitable thing is Ganta’s relocation because he would certainly follow his sentiment no matter what. Also there are reports that Ganta is lobbying his current constituency for his nephew and thus two MLAs under Ganta’s quota might be confirmed.
But does Ganta has the ability to take TDP towards the victory side in Bheemili, Gajuwaka, Vizag north and south along with the Lok Sabha seat? If there are no poll pacts, Ganta has to work beyond his capacity.