V V Vinayak to miss Rajamahendravaram MP seat?

Even though seasoned director V V Vinayak, who belongs to the Kapu community, was hoping to contest the parliamentary seat from Rajamahendravaram in the 2019 elections, the YSR Congress Party is reportedly planning to allot the same to a member belonging to the Goud community under the reserved constituency category.

“Of late, YSRCP seems to have different plans which could upset Vinayak’s dreams to enter Parliament by winning elections in 2019 from Rajamahendravaram,” says an industry source. The star director may now be eyeing for either Machilipatnam or Visakhapatnam parliamentary constituenies but he has stiff competition from the local leaders. “Vinayak could try for the Vizag seat since he has built a swanky theatre and has a base, but the YSRCP may not give him such an important MP seat because a local MLA is already vying for it,” says the source. “May be, if Vinayak chooses to contest as an MLA, then he has more chances to get a safe seat in Andhra Pradesh,” the source pointed out.

Nevertheless, if the director of `Khaidi No 150’ wins an election to the Lok Sabha, it would be a proud moment for the Telugu film industry, since film directors like Dasari Narayana Rao have always chosen the Rajya Sabha route. “Vinayak made a mark for himself as a successful commercial filmmaker with many blockbusters. Similarly, if he wins an MP election directly, he will become the first Telugu director to enter the Lower House of Parliament and that would be a great moment for Telugu cinema,” he concludes.