Gannavaram legislator Vallabhananeni Vamsi, who defected from Telugu Desam Party to YSR Congress party, on Saturday threw down the gauntlet to former minister Paritala Sunitha to make Nara Lokesh contest the elections from Gannavaram and win the seat.
Vamsi, who was once a staunch follower of Sunitha’s husband late Paritala Ravindra, said he would continue to treat her as his sister-in-law.
“I used to call her Vadina and I will continue to do that. But it is not correct on her part to say that I had won the election only because I fought on the TDP ticket,” he said.
He was reacting to the comments made by the former minister that leaders like Kodali Nani and Vallabhaneni Vamsi owed their political growth to the TDP and they had become MLAs only because they were given the opportunity by party president N Chandrababu Naidu.
“They are now hurling abuses against the TDP president. I can speak in much harsher language than them, but my leader is restraining me. It is certain that they would lose their seats in the next elections,” Sunitha said.
Stating that Naidu should also change himself and become aggressive, she said the TDP ranks are remaining patient but if Naidu gives them green signal, they would show their real strength.
“The Seema blood is running in our veins. After becoming the chief minister, let Naidu keep silent for one hour; we shall show what we are,” she threatened.
Vamsi reminded that Kodali Nani had won as an MLA from YSRCP even when Sunitha was a minister.
“Why wait till the next elections? I am resigning from my Gannavaram seat. Let Naidu’s son Lokesh contest from the by-elections from Gannavaram and let Sunitha lead the campaign. I challenge her to get Lokesh elected from the seat,” he said.
Signing on the blank letter head, the rebel TDP MLA said if Lokesh was scared of contesting from Gannavaram, the TDP can field any leader of its choice and get him or her elected.
“I know I am not the first and last MLA from Gannavaram. So is Kodali Nani from Gudivada,” he said.
Interestingly, Lokesh also vowed to get elected from Mangalagiri in the next assembly elections.
“We shall win Mangalagiri seat and give it as a gift to Naidu,” he said, while addressing the TDP workers.