Suspense over Nagari TDP in-charge ends

Tirupati: The eight-month long suspense over the appointment of TDP in-charge for Nagari Assembly constituency ended with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu deciding in favour Gali Bhanu Prakash, the elder son of party senior leader Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu, who died in February this year. 

The demise of Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu popularly known as GMK necessitated the ruling party to look out for a capable leader who can take on the fire brand leader RK Roja, the film star turned politician, who won Nagari Assembly seat as YSRCP candidate in the 2014 election defeating GMK with a small margin. 

The selection became a tough exercise for Chandrababu as the two sons of GMK family Bhanu Prakash and Jagadish vied for it even as many powerful leaders from the area including Ashok Raju, a close confident of Chandrababu Naidu, claiming the post hoping that it naturally lay the path to get ticket as ruling party candidate to contest from Nagari in 2019. 

The two sons, Bhanu Prakash and younger one Jagadish, fought fiercely to inherit the political legacy of their father resulted in Naidu to choose G Saraswathamma, wife of GMK for the MLC post that fell vacant following the death of GMK and also delaying the constituency in-charge appointment. 

However, as the election is fast approaching, the TDP chief was in a hurry to fill the vacant posts of party in-charges in the district to galvanise the party for 2019 general polls. First, he finalised the appointment of Nani, TDP Chittoor District President, as his home constituency Chandragiri in-charge, last month, after party senior leader Galla Aruna Kumari was reluctant to continue as the constituency in-charge, before tacking the ticklish task of Nagari party in-charge issue.

The Chief Minister unsuccessfully held discussions with GMK’s wife and his two sons to arrive at a consensus on Nagari constituency and even warned them that he will chose another, outside their family if they failed to arrive at a consensus candidate. 

The trio unable decide themselves left the choice to the Chief Minister, assuring him that they will abide to his decision and also work for the party without any ill-feeling irrespective of getting the post.

Naidu after series of consultations with party leaders from the district, at last decided Bhanu Prakash to be the party Nagari in-charge based on the feedback from activists and leaders from the Nagari area, bringing an end to the issue, recently. Party sources said Bhanu enjoys the support of party seniors in the district including Industries Minister Amaranatha Reddy, Galla Aruna Kumari and others. 

Talking to the The Hans India over phone Bhanu Prakash said that he would continue his father’s legacy of helping the needy and also remain loyal and committed to the party. “I will see that the party wins Nagari to give it as a gift to party supremo Chandrababu Naidu,” he said thanking the Chief Minister for the confidence he reposed on him.