Andhra Pradesh leaders seem to be preferring MLA seats in 2019 elections rather than MP seats. Irrespective of the party, leaders want to contest as MLA this time. It is surprising that, even some of the sitting MPs also want to contest as MLA this time. But analysts say there is a specific reason for this.

Sitting MPs also want to contest as MLAs:

Recently TDP leader and sitting MP Avanthi Srinivas quit the party to contest as MLA from Bheemili. Another sitting MP Pandula Ravindra also, as per reports, want to contest as MLA in 2019 elections. Former Union Minister Killi Kruparani who joined YSRCP also asking Jagan for MLA ticket instead of MP ticket. Usually MP seat is considered as hot cake than MLA seat unless there is a guaranteed assurance of ministry in the state by the high command of the party. But this time, even most of the sitting MPs in both the parties want to test their luck as MLAs.

They don’t want the ‘head ache’ of fighting for special category status:

Main reason for this seems to be the issue of special category status. Both TDP and YSRCP are not in NDA at the moment. So, if NDA forms the government again and doesn’t grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh, most of these MPs will be under tremendous pressure to fight for special category status. Compared to the ministers in the state of Andhra Pradesh and other MLAs, MPs will be questioned a lot by the people as well as media.

They are worried about ‘ resigning and contesting’ again in the name of fight:

These MPS are also worried about how their party supremos want to fight on this issue. For example, if the party decides that all the members of parliament resign to their posts to fight on this issue, they will not have any other option but to resign. Contesting again after resigning also a very expensive affair. No leader wants to spend again and again on elections. so they want to be comfortable in the home state without worrying about the fight in parliament and shelling out money again and again.

One more reason is- , there is no official alliance for these parties with any national parties. So they don’t see any possibility of getting inducted into Union cabinet.

Overall:

So most of the leaders are playing it safe by contesting as MLAs. They don’t have to worry about special category status and other issues. If they are lucky, they may get a ministry in the state.

We will have to wait and see what kind of results such leaders get in elections

– Zuran (@CriticZuran)