TDP faces dissidence trouble in Sullurpet

Nellore: Internal disputes in the TDP resulted in the loss of seat last time and the party faces dissidence trouble this time too in Sullurpet Assembly reserved constituency as the ruling party has nominated the same candidate. TDP has finalised the name of former minister Dr Parasa Venkata Ratnam whereas the sitting MLA from YSRCP K Sanjeevaiah is in the fray.

Sullurpeta Assembly seat was under general category up to 1962 and was reserved to SC category from 1967. The constituency has been witnessing strong fight between Congress and TDP where both parties won the poll for five times each.

Up to 1983, Congress candidates were bagging the seat and M Maneiah contested from TDP in 1985 and won the seat. Parasa Ratnam won from the constituency in 1994, 1999, and 2009 polls as TDP candidate. Congress candidates won from the place in 2004 and in 1989.

Local leaders from upper castes were dominating the political scene for many years and some leaders expressed their dissent over TDP candidate in 2014 polls where the party candidate Ratnam lost the election. This time, after much deliberations, TDP nominated Ratnam from the constituency. But analysts say that the dissidents will not support him.

The majority was only 3,726 votes in the last polls where ruling party candidate gave strong fight. Parasa Ratnam won thrice from the place and served as Minister in Chandrababu's cabinet earlier.

This constituency is part of Tirupati reserved LS seat and the result will have an impact on the winning chances of the MP seat. Now, K Sanjeeviah is the sitting MLA from YSRCP whom the party fielded again for 2019 polls.