Now, Vizag a beehive of political activity
Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam, which goes by the sobriquet of 'The City of Destiny', is fast emerging as a beehive of activity on the political front, with young politicians from Andhra Pradesh throwing in their hat.
As things stand, Minister for Information Technology Nara Lokesh will be contesting from the Visakhapatnam North assembly constituency. Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan is also likely to contest from the Gajuwaka assembly constituency.
Similarly, Aditi, daughter of former union minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju, is also said to be eyeing the Bheemli assembly constituency. The TDP, following a survey and consultations among party leaders and workers about its prospects from Visakhapatnam North assembly constituency, is close to finalising the name of Lokesh.
Visakhapatnam North constituency is in city limits and has a few slum areas. The constituency came into existence in 2009 and T Vijayakumar was the first MLA. In the 2014 General Election, the TDP had given the seat to the BJP leader and P. Vishnukumar Raju who won the election.
Although the TDP did not represent this seat, it has a strong cadre in the segment. The party has the support of a strong network of SHGs in these segments. Another advantage this constituency has is that most of the voters are educated.
Lokesh, projected as a tech savvy man, has been instrumental in bringing certain IT industries to Visakhapatnam; and, being young leader, the party hopes that it would be in an advantageous situation. The YSRCP is yet to decide on its candidate.
In fact, the co-brother of Lokesh and grandson of MVVS Murty, the founder of GITAM University, is also eyeing to contest from one of the constituencies in Visakhapatnam, but the TDP is yet to take a decision.
Human Resources Minister Ganta Srinivas Rao is also inclined to contest from Bheemli. The TDP president has hinted that Ganta can contest from the Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha seat. But Ganta still seems to be more in favour of contesting for the Assembly.