IT minister Nara Lokesh to contest from Mangalagiri
Samdani MN | TNN | Mar 13, 2019, 16:23 IST
Nara Lokesh.AMARAVATI: Ending the weeks-long suspense, IT and rural development minister Nara Lokesh has decided to contest from Mangalagiri assembly constituency in Guntur district. Party supremo Chandrababu Naidu has fianlised the constituency after holding discussions with the party senior leaders here on Wednesday. “Yes. Mangalagiri has been finalized for Lokesh. Minister will be contesting from this segment,” confirmed a senior leader part of party’s think tank. However, date and muhurth for filing of his nomination were yet to be decided.
Although, party considered Bhimili and Visakhapatnam north assembly segments to field Lokesh, party chief Chandrababu Naidu believed to have picked up Mangalagiri segment as it helps Lokesh stay back in the capital city and oversee the poll management of all the constituencies. Interestingly, half of the nascent capital city Amaravati is part of Mangalagiri constituency which had also played key role in Lokesh choosing the assembly segment. “Winning the election is not a big issue for Lokesh. Protecting the interests of the capital city were also taken into consideration,” said another senior leader.
Sources said that Lokesh’s name would figure in the first list of the candidates to be released on Thursday. Soon after taking the final call on the constituency, Lokesh summoned the party leaders from Mangalagiri segment and held discussions.
TDP has strong base in Mangalagiri segment as its nominee Ganji Chiranjeevi, a political novice had lost the assembly elections with just 12 votes margin in 2014. This is lowest majority recorded in the state in the last elections.
TDP is particularly strong in urban areas of Mangalagiri where weavers are dominant community. TDP had in fact thought of fielding a candidate from weavers’ community and admitted several strong leaders into the party from rival camps. Local municipal chairman and TDP leader Ganji Chiranjeevi who lost previous assembly election, also belongs to weavers community.
Curiously, main opposition YSRCP, which wanted to replace its sitting MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy with a BC candidate, is yet to finalise its candidate.
Although, party considered Bhimili and Visakhapatnam north assembly segments to field Lokesh, party chief Chandrababu Naidu believed to have picked up Mangalagiri segment as it helps Lokesh stay back in the capital city and oversee the poll management of all the constituencies. Interestingly, half of the nascent capital city Amaravati is part of Mangalagiri constituency which had also played key role in Lokesh choosing the assembly segment. “Winning the election is not a big issue for Lokesh. Protecting the interests of the capital city were also taken into consideration,” said another senior leader.
Sources said that Lokesh’s name would figure in the first list of the candidates to be released on Thursday. Soon after taking the final call on the constituency, Lokesh summoned the party leaders from Mangalagiri segment and held discussions.
TDP has strong base in Mangalagiri segment as its nominee Ganji Chiranjeevi, a political novice had lost the assembly elections with just 12 votes margin in 2014. This is lowest majority recorded in the state in the last elections.
TDP is particularly strong in urban areas of Mangalagiri where weavers are dominant community. TDP had in fact thought of fielding a candidate from weavers’ community and admitted several strong leaders into the party from rival camps. Local municipal chairman and TDP leader Ganji Chiranjeevi who lost previous assembly election, also belongs to weavers community.
Curiously, main opposition YSRCP, which wanted to replace its sitting MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy with a BC candidate, is yet to finalise its candidate.
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