4 TDP candidates file papers

Amaravati: TDP MLC candidates filed their nomination papers on Thursday under MLAs quota. Yanamala Ramakrishnudu-East Godavari (BC Yadava), Ashok Babu-Krishna (OC Kapu), Duvvarapu Rama Rao-Visakhapatnam (BC Rajaka) and BT Naidu -Kurnool (BC Boya) filed papers with Assembly secretary.

The party also offered MLC seats to three leaders in other categories. They are C Shivanada Reddy-Kadapa (OC Reddy) and Samanthakamani-Anantapur (SC Madiga) got the opportunity under Governor quota. Name of Buddha Nagajagadeeswara Rao of Visakhapatnam (BC Gavara) was confirmed under Local Bodies constituency MLC quota. 

Of these, Samanthakamani is being renominated for the Council as she will be one of the members who are retiring on March 29 and Shivananda Reddy is a relative of minister C Adinarayana Reddy.  Main opposition YSRCP candidate Janga Krishna Murthy also filed his nomination papers for the lone seat the party could win. Nominations for the March 12 election to five Legislative Council seats under the MLAs quota, which are going to fall vacant on March 29, ended Thursday.

Since only five candidates filed nominations for the same number of seats, the election could only be a unanimous affair but the result will formally be announced on March 5, the last date for withdrawal of nominations. 

Addressing the party leaders, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu said that party had ensured social justice in selecting candidates for MLC elections as four were from BCs, one Kapu, one SC and another one from Reddy community were selected. 

“By giving MLC chance to Duvvarapu Rama Rao, Rajakas (MBCs) are given recognition. Likewise, B T Nayudu is given MLC as Valmiki, Yanamala for BCs, giving chance to Ashok Babu is to honour  employees, Kapus and others. TDP will give priority to sincerity and dedication and party will do justice to all the regions,’’ he said. 

After filing the nomination papers, Ramakrishnudu said that the TDP president had given second chance as MLC to him. He thanked the party and its president for this. He said that he would always be loyal to the people in Tuni Assembly constituency who elected him to the House for six times.

Before filing nomination papers, Ashok Babu joined in TDP in the presence of N Chandrababu Naidu and said that he would serve the party and the NGOs as well. Samanthakamani visited the party chief at his residence and thanked him for nominating her again.