YSRCP looking for a strong candidate in Palasa

Srikakulam: YSRCP high command is seriously considering to bring in a strong candidate in Palasa Assembly constituency by shifting sitting MLA and minister Seediri Appala Raju in the wake of group rivalries.

Against this backdrop, minister Appala Raju is maintaining silence and is not actively participating in the party programmes. It is learnt that YSRCP high command is planning to allot the Assembly ticket to noted doctor Duppala Venkata Ravi Kiran who is working with the health department and a native of Lakshmipuram village in Palasa Mandal.

Appala Raju belongs to the fishermen community while Ravi Kiran belongs to the Kalinga community. In Palasa constituency, Kalinga community voters are more in number.

Ravi Kiran is working as state level programme officer with the National Health Mission and has relations with the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) higher cadre officials.

It is said that Duvvada Sridhar, Duvvada Hema Babu and other leaders from Mandasa and Vajrapukotturu mandals are opposing Appala Raju.

Previously, they strongly opposed Appala Raju and organised a series of meetings against him. It is also alleged that the minister failed to resolve the issue of cashew nut farmers in Palasa and lost his image by supporting land mafia activities in and around Palasa mandal.