Both the TRS and the Congress-led grand alliance have been plagued by dissidents ever since the tickets distribution began. With the respective parties more or less sticking to the chosen candidates, the onus is now on the latter to ensure that the disappointed leaders do not upset the applecart even though in certain cases the top leaders jumped in to placate the ‘rebels’.
So, we have had this spectacle of Congress candidate K.S. Rathnam going to the house of aspirant Padala Venkateswamy and touching his feet seeking his support compelling the latter to hug him and promise total support. Earlier, former deputy chief minister T. Rajaiah did the same with his senior minister Kadiam Srihari and got an ‘assurance’ of support as he contests from Station Ghanpur.
However, the act did not cut ice with former Congress minister G. Vinod, now with TRS, when his strong pitch for seeking ticket from Bellampalli constituency as the ruling party decided to stick on with incumbent Durgam Chinnaiah. Apparently, Mr. Vinod continues to remain in the fray as an independent even though Mr. Chinnaiah sought his support and blessings.