Lokesh not confirmed, says Ayyanna

Visakhapatnam: TDP politburo member and Minister Ch Ayyannapatrudu said that the party is yet to finalise MP and MLA aspirants' lists. Speaking after the party meeting with all the MLAs and key leaders at the party office in the city on Wednesday, he said that it was media speculation only that Minister Nara Lokesh was contesting from Visakhapatnam North and Mangalagiri Assembly constituencies.

He said that party president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was discussing with all key leaders in the city and maintaining balance in allotting party tickets considering various factors such as regional, caste, community and other issues. Out of 175 MLAs and 25 MP tickets, the party almost completed over 80 percent exercise and the candidates list would be announced officially soon, he added.

He stated there was no official communication from the party that Nara Lokesh would contest from Visakhapatnam North Assembly constituency. Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu after taking blessing from Lord Srivenkateswara Swamy of Tirupati would move to Srikakulam on March 16, he said and added then he would convene a meeting in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari district leaders on March 17.

The party directed the district cadre to arrange a public meeting on March 17 in which 50,000 party workers are expected to participate. "Though the media is speculating several names, the party high command finally announces the list of candidates considering their winning chances," he said. The TDP has faced several elections and the entire cadre and leadership was ready for 2019 general elections also, he pointed out. He hoped the TDP would win the elections under the vision and leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, he said.

He asked the cadre to work unitedly whoever the candidate the party announces and added party president Chandrababu Naidu was convening politburo meeting on March 14 in Vijayawada.