MP Rayapati, son in race for tickets

Guntur: Senior MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao is in the race for Narasaraopet Lok Sabha constituency and his son Ranga Rao is seeking MLA ticket from Sattenapalli Assembly constituency in the coming general elections. Both father and son duo met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and expressed their willingness to contest in the coming general elections.

Meanwhile Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is conducting a meeting on March 9 to finalise the candidates for Lok Sabha constituency and Assembly constituencies come under the purview of Narasaraopet Lok Sabha constituency. Due to old age, the senior MP Sambasiva Rao earlier announced that he would not contest in the elections. As his health condition improved recently, he is now preparing to contest from Narasaraopet Parliamentary constituency. 

Speaking to The Hans India, Sambasiva Rao said, "He will contest from Narasaraopet Lok Sabha constituency and hoped that he will win in the election.” He expressed confidence that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will give two tickets for his family. Ranga Rao will also contest in this election. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s decision is final in this regard, he added. 

Rayapati Ranga Rao said, “My priority is my father Rayapati Sambasiva Rao to contest from Narasaraopet Lok Sabha constituency. I am willing to contest from Sattenapalli Assembly constituency. If Assembly Speaker Dr Kodela Siva Prasada Rao will be shifted to Narasaraopet, I will contest from Sattenapalli Assembly constituency." 

Meanwhile Dr Rayapati Srinivas conducted a campaign to contest in the MLC elections from Guntur-Krishna Graduates MLC constituency when the TDP high command decided not to contest in the MLC elections. He worked as Zilla Parishad chairman and MLC in the Congress government. He shifted his loyalty to TDP along with his brother Rayapati Sambasiva Rao. 

If TDP high command will give green signal, MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao will contest from Narasaraopet Lok Sabha segment. Taking winning chances of candidates, TDP high command may give ticket to Dr Rayapati Srinivas or Rayapti Ranga Rao. During the Congress government, MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao family got three posts. Rayapati Sambasiva Rao worked as MP, Dr Rayapati Srinivas worked as MLC. His son Rayapati Mohan Sai Krishna worked as mayor for Guntur city.