Andhra Pradesh: Row in TDP over Kurnool MLA, MP nomination

SV Mohan Reddy, who was “renominated” as the yellow party’s MLA candidate from Kurnool, shot back at the MP saying Lokesh was the TDP’s national general secretary. ​

KURNOOL: IT Minister Nara Lokesh’s announcement of candidates for Kurnool MP and Assembly seats has sparked a political row in the district with the TDP MP TG Venkatesh on Wednesday questioning how Lokesh could decide candidates in the capacity of a minister.

SV Mohan Reddy, who was “renominated” as the yellow party’s MLA candidate from Kurnool, shot back at the MP saying Lokesh was the TDP’s national general secretary. He added that his candidature was approved by the Cabinet a few days back.

Lokesh had a few days ago announced that Kurnool MP Butta Renuka and Kurnool MLA SV Mohan Reddy — both switched to the TDP after winning on YSRC tickets — would be renominated and appealed to the people to vote for them.

Venkatesh, who was eyeing the MLA seat for his son, TG Bharat, found fault with Lokesh for “turning a government function into a political event by announcing party affairs”.

“He (Lokesh) is not the Chief Minister or the party president to make such a declaration, that too at a government programme,” Venkatesh said.

“I am sure that Mohanudu (Mohan Reddy) hypnotised Lokesh,” the Rajya Sabha member said and added that the TDP usually announced the list of candidates after conducting a thorough survey on the winning prospects of aspirants. “There have been instances in which B forms were issued to candidates’ just hours before the nomination process began,’’ he added.

Mohan Reddy asserted that the decision was taken by the party several months back. “Even Venkatesh was in the loop about the decision,’’ the MLA claimed.

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