Vijayawada Lok Sabha member, Kesineni Srinivas also known as Nani, had earlier committed that he would not contest the 2024 elections. He told TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu to look for alternative candidate for Vijayawada Lok Sabha.
However, things appear to have changed now as the TDP chief had appointed him as incharge of the Vijayawada West Assembly constituency, where he faces stiff opposition within the party.
It was in this Assembly segment that leaders like Budda Venkanna, Nagul Meera and others challenged Kesineni’s leadership in open.
They even threw open challenge to Kesineni and worked against his candidates in the just-concluded Vijayawada Municipal Corporation elections.
It was speculated that Kesineni would leave TDP and join the BJP just before the 2024 general elections.
But, things have changed when he met the party chief at the party office and stood by Chandrababu Naidu who was on day-long hunger strike against the attack on the party office.
Kesineni also played a crucial role in the party’s victory in Kondapalli Municipality and winning more seats in Jaggaiahpet Municipality.
These developments have pushed his opponents to the back seat and brought him to the front row.
As he is now made the incharge of the party affairs in the Vijayawada West Assembly constituency, the leaders who criticised him in the past would have to accept his leadership now or leave the party.
This raises the question whether Kesineni would stand by his word that he would not contest the next election or go back on the decision as most of the politicians do!