YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to leave no stone unturned in achieving his target of winning 175 out 175 seats in the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
Though he knows that it is uphill task, Jagan does not want to miss any opportunity to win every seat. So, winnability is the only criterion in the selection of candidates and he has decided to go in for a major reshuffle of candidates in several constituencies.
The party has already officially announced the changes in 11 constituencies and changes are being made in three more seats in East Godavari district – Prathipadu, Pithapuram and Jaggampet.
Especially in the twin Godavari districts, where the Telugu Desam Party-Jana Sena Party combine has been pinning high hopes, the YSRC chief is likely to make major changes of candidates in several constituencies.
According to reports from highly-placed sources in the party, present information and public relations minister Chelluboyina Venugopala Krishna, who is presently representing Ramachandrapuram constituency, is likely to be shifted to Rajahmundry (rural).
In his place, former minister and Rajya Sabha member Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose is likely to be fielded. Another senior leader and MLC Thota Trimurthulu will be fielded from Mandapeta constituency.
Another major change Jagan is likely to make in East Godavari district is to field present Rajahmundry MP Margani Bharat from Rajahmundry (Urban). At present, Rajahmundry (urban) and Rajahmundry (rural) constituencies are being represented by the TDP.
In Prakasam, too, Jagan is going to make major changes. For example, senior leader Tatiparthi Chandrasekhar is going to contest from Yerragondapalem constituency.
In West Godavari district, the YSRC chief is planning to field a Backward Classes candidate – Merusu Nagaratnam, a Yadava leader from Eluru Lok Sabha constituency. Nagaratnam, who is the chairman of an electric bus manufacturing company, is presently the TTD trust board member.
The TDP is planning to field an NRI candidate, who happens to be the grandson of Dhanekula Venkateshwara Rao, owner of DV Manor Hotels, Vijayawada, from Eluru constituency.
The YSRC president is planning to field as many BC candidates as possible in the coming elections. The second list of candidates is likely to be out in a day or two, party sources said.
