Hyderabad: The latest defection of Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy to TDP is changing political equations for deputy chief minister KE Krishnamurthy in Kurnool district. KE Krishnamurthy wants Pattikonda and Dhone Assembly tickets for his family, while Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy is seeking Kurnool MP seat in addition to three Assembly tickets from TDP in the forthcoming elections in Andhra Pradesh. This is creating a major tussle in Kurnool politics for TDP.
KE Krishnamurthy along with his son Shyambabu and brother Pratap met the chief minister and sought clarity on Kurnool politics.
However, AP chief minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu has advised KE brothers to work closely with Kotla family to strengthen the party in Kurnool district and Rayalaseema in general. Naidu further clarified to KE brothers that he didn’t give any assurance to Kotla family on Lok Sabha and Assembly tickets.
KE Krishnamurthy is sitting MLA from Pattikonda constituency. The deputy CM is reportedly told Naidu that he doesn’t have any problem in working with Kotla family.
Kotla’s decision to leave Congress not only a major damage to the grand-old party, but also a blow to YSRCP as well as major Reddy leaders such as Nedurumilli and Anam families are joining YSRCP thanks to caste polarisation in AP.
KE Prathap lost in Dhone constituency in 2014 elections. KE Krishnamurthy is asking Dhone ticket for Prathap and Pattikonda for his son.
“Dhone constituency falls in Nandhyal Lok Sabha purview. Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy is believed to have asked for Kurnool Lok Sabha ticket, then how can his wife contest from Dhone,” questions KE Krishnamurthy.
Naidu also discussed with minister Adinarayana Reddy, who wants to contest from Jammalamadugu Assembly constituency in Kadapa district, and Whip Ramasubba Reddy. The chances are that Naidu may field one from Kadapa Lok Sabha and another from Jammalamadugu, observes a political analyst.
