It is not just in Mangalagiri assembly constituency, YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday changed party candidates in 10 other assembly constituencies for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
As expected, Jagan announced the candidature of prominent Backward Classes leader Ganji Chiranjeevi in Mangalagiri, in place of sitting MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy, who resigned from the assembly membership as well as party.
Similarly, in Gajuwaka assembly constituency, Jagan replaced aspiring candidate Tippala Devan Reddy, son of sitting MLA Tippala Nagireddy, who defeated Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan in 2019. Instead, the YSRC president named Varikuti Ramachandra Rao, who hails from Yadava community.
In Prathipadu (SC) assembly constituency presently represented by home minister Mekathoti Sucharita, the YSRC president appointed Balasani Kiran Kumar as the party in-charge for contesting the next elections.
Sucharita has been shifted to Tadikonda (SC) constituency, in place of sitting MLA Undavalli Sridevi, who defected to the Telugu Desam Party recently. Interestingly, Sucharita’s appointment shattered the hopes of former minister Dokka Manikya Varaprasad, who was earlier appointed in-charge for Tadikonda.
Another senior minister Adimulapu Suresh, who has hitherto been representing Yerragondapalem assembly constituency, has been moved to Kondepi (SC) constituency, which was being nurtured by another senior leader Madasi Venkaiah. The party has not named another person for Yerragondapalem yet.
Siimilarly, senior leader Merugu Nagarjuna has been shifted from his present constituency Vemuru (SC) and he has been replaced by Varikooti Ashok Babu. Nagarjuna has been appointed in-charge of Santhanuthalapadu (SC) constituency which is being represented by T J R Sudhakar Babu.
Obviously, Sudhakar Babu is being denied ticket for contesting the elections, because of various allegations against him.
Another major change made is that of state health minister Vidadala Rajini, who has least chances of winning from her present constituency Chilakaluripet. She has been replaced by Mallela Rajesh Naidu.
Rajani is being shifted to Guntur (West) assembly constituency. Sitting MLA Maddali Giridhar Rao, who defected from the TDP to YSRC earlier, will not be getting the party ticket.
In Addanki, Jagan has named Panem Hanimi Reddy as the candidate for the next elections. Hitherto, he had been the in-charge of Pedakurapadu constituency.
In Repalle, which is presently being represented by TDP, the YSRC appointed a new comer Dr Evuru Ganesh as the in-charge. He would be the party candidate for the assembly elections.