Several seniors to retire from politics in Krishna

Vijayawada: The current elections are last elections to several legislators and senior leaders in Krishna district. MLAs Kagita Venkata Rao, Jaleel Khan and Kamineni Srinivas announced their retirement from the politics.

The TDP rejected tickets to former MLAs Nallagatla Swamidas, Raavi Venkateswara Rao and Pinnamaneni Venkateswara Rao. Besides, some other politicians unofficially announced the present elections are last election in their political life.

MLAs Kagita Venkata Rao and Jaleel Khan fielded their descendants in the fray in their place. In fact, both the leaders had plans to contest in the present election. But their health condition did not support them to contest the election. Apart from this, the party leadership is also not happy about the performance of the legislators. In this backdrop, they took retirement and gave way to their political heirs.

Chief Whip Kagita Venkata Rao's son Krishna Prasad is now contesting from Pedana constituency while Jaleel Khan's daughter Shabana Khatoon is in the race in his place from Vijayawada West constituency.

Likewise, former minister and sitting MLA Kamineni Srinivas did not contest from Kaikaluru in the present election. He was elected on BJP ticket in the last election. Now, he remained silent and kept himself off to any kind of political activity announcing retirement for politics.

On the other hand, the TDP did not give tickets to former MLAs Pinnamaneni Venkateswara Rao, Raavi Venkateswara Rao and Nallagatla Swami Das. Pinnamaneni Venkateswara Rao is presently continuing as chairman of AP Cooperative Bank. Previously he worked as minister.

Raavi Venkateswara Rao who contested on TDP ticket from Gudiwada was rejected the MLA ticket. But he has been given assurance for an MLC position. Meanwhile, Nallagatla Swami Das, constituency in-charge of Tiruvuru, was rejected ticket by the TDP. The three leaders are almost close to 60 years.

The political analysts observe that the three leaders may not contest in direct election in near future. But they are participating in the election campaign actively. Similarly, MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad and MP Konakalla Narayana also crossed 60s and the current elections might be the last election in their political career, said Diviseema Intellectuals Forum president V Gopala Rao.