- TDP Supremo Chandrababu Naidu announces her name
- Lakshmi contested in 2019 on behalf of TDP
- Confident that she will be first woman MP from Tirupati
Amaravati: TDP Supremo Chandrababu Naidu announced Panabaka Lakshmi as his party candidate for the upcoming by-election in the constituency. By-election was necessitated due to the demise of sitting YCP MP Balli Durga Prasad due to Covid pandemic.
Tirupati constituency which is reserved for SC was well known for political trends besides Lord Venkateswara. Panabaka Lakhsmi earlier won from Bapatla and thrice from Nellore on Congress ticket. She also worked as Union Minister during UPA reign. She was left unnoticed post-bifurcation in the Congress and later joined TDP. She lost to YCP in 2019 from Tiruapthi constituency.
Speculations were rife that if she did not get ticket from TDP, she may switch over to BJP, but CBN announced her name on Monday through virtual meet with party leaders.
BJP-Jana Sena in dilemma There is still confusion between BJP-Janasena coalition about the candidate. Jana Sena believes there are strong Kapu and Balija voters in the constituency and votes may swing towards them if candidate is fileded from their party. BJP’s State President Somu Veerraju announced from Tirupati that his party will contest in upcoming Lok Sabha by-election, without having a word with Jana Sena party. This statement from BJP irked and pushed Jana Sena leaders and cadre into trouble about party’s future.
YCP advantage
But political analysts say ,it is a cake walk for YCP in by-election with sympathy factor, schemes under Jagan government for poor and strong party cadre. But recent controversies on TTD decisions, porn link displayed on SVBC channel, all will keep YCP on backfoot when opposition rises these issues during the campaign.
