In politics, it’s not surprising when close friends part ways over a single seat — personal ambition often outweighs loyalty. That seems to be the case with Avanthi Srinivas and Ganta Srinivasa Rao in the Bheemili constituency.
Avanthi first entered the Assembly from Bheemili in 2009 on a Praja Rajyam Party ticket. After joining the TDP in 2014, Ganta contested from Bheemili and won, later becoming a minister.
By 2019, speculation arose that Avanthi wanted to reclaim the seat, while Ganta reportedly considered contesting from Anakapalli as an MP instead.
However, as elections neared, Ganta was said to have insisted on contesting from Bheemili again. In response, Avanthi jumped to the YSR Congress Party, contested from Bheemili, won, and even secured a ministerial berth.
Avanthi remained with YSRCP until the party’s 2024 defeat. He resigned late last year and has since been awaiting an entry into the TDP.
Avanthi is believed to have strengthened his position by ensuring his daughter, a corporator in GVMC, supported the TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance during Mayoral post.
Now, it’s being said that Avanthi has been formally invited into the TDP and is expected to join soon. Whether Ganta likes it or not, party high command is believed to have made the decision.
Sources say Avanthi is being positioned to contest again from Bheemili in the next election on a TDP ticket.
It remains unclear whether Ganta will contest the next election, push for his son to get the Bheemili ticket, or seek an alternative constituency.
But Avanthi seems to be inching closer to his goal — despite switching four parties over 15 years, he appears to be securing the seat he considers his own.
