Wisdom has finally dawned upon Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, as he decides against fielding a party candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections.
He was uncertain about mobilizing enough disgruntled YSR Congress party MLAs to cross-vote for his party.
As a result, the path has been cleared for the election of three YSRCP candidates for the Rajya Sabha – Y V Subba Reddy, Golla Babu Rao, and Meda Raghunath Reddy – without any contest. They will be declared elected unanimously in a day or two.
With no fear of dejected party MLAs cross-voting for the TDP, Jagan has decided to finalize the seventh list of candidates for the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections as soon as possible.
While Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy’s candidacy is confirmed for the Ongole Lok Sabha seat, Jagan is seeking a suitable candidate for the Nellore Lok Sabha seat.
Reports suggest that Rajya Sabha member Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, initially chosen for the seat, is unlikely to contest the elections and may leave the party.
Sources indicate that Jagan might retain sitting Nellore MP Adala Prabhakar Reddy for the Nellore LS seat and announce another candidate for the Nellore (rural) seat, for which Adala was initially named as the candidate.
In Prakasam district, Jagan faces tremendous pressure in selecting candidates.
SAAPNET chairman Krishna Chaitanya and former minister B Chechu Garitaiah, who were denied tickets from Addanki, joined the TDP on Thursday.
YSRCP's present in-charge of Parchur assembly constituency, Amanchi Krishna Mohan, is demanding the ticket from Chirala. However, he faces stiff resistance from sitting MLA Karanam Balaram. Jagan is grappling with the decision between the two.
"The process is ongoing, and in all likelihood, the list will be out by Friday or Saturday," sources said.