The TDP’s biggest dilemma in Vizag is who to choose between former minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and former MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju for the Vizag North assembly constituency. Chandrababu Naidu is said to be very particular about choosing only such a candidate who ticks all the right boxes. He is said to be determined to look for loyalty more than anything else while allocating the party ticket.
Ganta, a quick-silver politician known for changing political parties like one changes clothes, has kept Chandrababu on tenterhooks since 2019. Every other day, there were inspired leaks about his trying to join either YSRCP or Jana Sena or the BJP. Until recently, he did not evince any interest in the party programmes. It is only recently that he has become active again. But this time, he is busy playing the Kapu card.
At the same time, former BJP MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju is believed to be trying hard to get the TDP ticket. In fact, Raju tried to contest on a TDP ticket in 2019 itself, but had to step aside as the TDP gave the ticket to Ganta Srinivasa Rao. This time around, Raju wants to be the TDP candidate from Vizag North. Raju has a decent support base in Vizag north but needs the right party to give him ticket. The TDP on the other hand, needs a decent leader to channelize the party’s strengths.
Meanwhile, Ganta Srinivasa Rao too is said to be lobbying hard, but the party is wary about him. Insiders say that Ganta could be asked to contest from the Lok Sabha constituency, while Vishnu Kumar Raju could contest for the assembly. It remains to be seen how politics take shape in this all-important constituency.