Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy eyeing Nellore Lock Sabha seat

Nellore: Even as former MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy is showing disinterest on contesting from Ongole LS constituency, TDP leaders are considering his candidature for Nellore seat. 

So, the ruling party is searching for a fresh candidate for Ongole seat and there were speculations that one among the three leaders - former legislators Vishnu and B Mastan Rao and ZP Chairman B Raghavendra Reddy would be picked for the Nellore seat.

It may be recalled that Aadala Prabhakar Reddy had finally opted for Nellore rural constituency and the party has been in dilemma on who to field from the LS seat as the district is a bastion for YSR Congress which bagged 7 Assembly seats and LS seat in 2014 elections.

K Vishnuvardhan Reddy who confronted candidature of R Pratapkumar Reddy, legislator of Kavali, demanded either himself or former legislator V Venugopala Reddy should be given ticket in the coming elections. It was reported in the media that YSR Congress chief Jagan offered him MLC position, but subsequently he refused the offer and quit the party.

Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and party district president B Ravichandra met him and asked him to shift his loyalties to TDP. Still, discussions are going on and the former legislator Vishnu is still keeping mum on his political developments saying he would discuss with the cadre and take a decision.

In a similar way, ZP Chairman B Raghavendra Reddy also quit the YSR Congress some months ago failing to adjust in the party. Beeda Mastan Rao is CRDA member and also active in the ruling party and has been eying Kavali Assembly segment for some time. Rumours spread that he would be asked to contest LS seat from Nellore if someone is picked for Kavali Assembly segment.

Now, freshly, name of former MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy is doing rounds in the political circles as he failed to show interest on Ongole LS seat.  As he is from Reddy community, he would probably give competition to Opposition.

But, analysts say he has been away from local politics for some time and has to cope with local environment which is tough during elections.  They say Ongole Parliament seat is having Kavali and Udayagiri Assembly constituencies in the district and he has to manage all areas just before the elections.