YSRCP, TDP face trouble from rebels in Srikakulam, Pathapatnam

Srikakulam: Rebel candidates are posing serious threat to both the ruling party and opposition TDP in Srikakulam, Pathapatnam and Amadalavalasa Assembly constituencies in the district.

In Pathapatnam Assembly constituency, YSRCP sitting MLA and the party candidate Reddy Shanthi has been facing wrath from the own party leaders in Kotturu, Meliaputti and Pathapatnam mandals and they had organised series of meetings and rallies against the MLA and passed an ultimatum to the party high command to change her candidature.

But the party high command allotted seat to her despite protests by local YSRCP activists. This prompted YSRCP’s rebel candidate Lothugedda Tulasi Vara Prasad Rao to make all arrangements to contest from here as an Independent candidate.

In Pathapatnam constituency, TDP candidate Mamidi Govinda Rao is also facing threat from a rebel candidate as the party leader and former MLA Kalamata Venkata Ramana has decided to contest as an Independent after he was denied party ticket and felt offended over the issue.

In Amadalavalasa Assembly constituency also YSRCP sitting MLA and State Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram has been facing dissent from senior party leaders Chintada Ravi Kumar, Suvvari Gandhi, Kota Govinda Rao and others. Interestingly, all the rebel YSRCP leaders and the Speaker belong to the Kalinga community. Members of the dissent group leaders of the ruling party reportedly complained to Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on the failures of Tammineni Sitaram and demanded that the party should deny ticket to him.

But the party high command ignored their plea, and confirmed Tammineni’s candidature from Amadalavalasa constituency. In this backdrop, party leader Suvvari Gandhi submitted resignation to the party and has decided to contest as an Independent candidate.

In Srikakulam Assembly constituency, TDP candidate Gondu Sankar is also facing problems from former party MLA Gunda Laxmidevi who has decided to contest as an Independent as the high command denied ticket to her.

She took the decision to contest the ensuing Assembly polls after holding a meeting with her followers.