It is now more or less confirmed that sitting Narasapuram MP Kanumuru Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, who has quit the YSR Congress party after being a rebel for four and a half years, will contest the upcoming assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh on the Telugu Desam party ticket.
Raju held discussions with Naidu at the latter’s residence at Undavalli on Thursday morning and requested him to lobby for the MP ticket from Narasapuram parliamentary constituency.
However, Naidu expressed helplessness as the Bharatiya Janata Party is not willing to give up the Narasapuram seat, where it fielded its general secretary Bhupati Srinivasa Varma, though the TDP offered Eluru Lok Sabha seat in exchange of Narasapuram seat.
Finally, Naidu agreed to offer him the party ticket from Undi assembly constituency in West Godavari district. In all probability, the Narasapuram MP is all set to join the TDP at Naidu’s rally at Palakollu on Friday.
But for accommodating Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, Naidu has to sacrifice sitting MLA Manthena Venkata Satyanarayana Raju from Undi.
Sources said Naidu had held discussions with the sitting MLA and assured to take care of his political interests, soon after coming to power.
While Raghu Ramakrishna Raju will compensate the financial loss of Manthena Raju, the TDP chief reportedly promised that he would be nominated to the state legislative council at the earliest opportunity.
Apparently, Naidu is of the view that fielding Raghu Ramakrishna Raju from Undi will help the NDA allies to a large extent, since it also covers Narasapuram parliamentary constituency.
In all probability, RRR will also be taken into the state cabinet, if Naidu comes to power.