Radha followers furious over reports of ticket to Malladi

Vijayawada: Followers of YSRCP leader and former MLA Vangaveeti Radhakrishna staged dharna near his residence on Mahatma Gandhi Road protesting against the reports that Radhakrishna may be denied ticket for the Vijayawada Central Assembly constituency in the ensuing Assembly elections. 

Radhakrishna is one of the aspirants for the Central constituency and has been insisting that he should be given ticket. But, reports hinted that former MLA Malladi Vishnu is likely to get the ticket to contest the elections from the segment. 

Brahmin voters play a key role in the Central Assembly segment. So, the YSRCP leadership might have decided to field former MLA and Brahmin leader Malladi Vishnu from the constituency.  Vishnu is also active in the Central Assembly constituency in recent months and is frequently meeting people to strengthen his base and network among the party cadre.

Supporters of Vangaveeti Radhakrishna are strongly opposing the candidature of Malladi Vishnu and insisting that Radhakrishna should be given ticket.  On Monday, about 200 supporters of Radhakrishna staged dharna near his residence denouncing the reports that Radhakrishna may be denied ticket.

They garlanded the statue of Radhakrishna's late father Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga on the occasion. Two of his supporters threatened to commit suicide and tried to douse themselves with petrol. But, other supporters prevented them from doing so. YSRCP leader and aspirant for the Vijayawada East Assembly constituency Yalamanchili Ravi pacified the angry supporters of Radhakrishna.

The angry supporters of Radhakrishna shouted slogans demanding that the party should give ticket to their leader. Vangaveeti Radhakrishna expressed his ire on his supporters and asked them to desist from doing such acts. He said that he was trying to get the ticket and asked the supporters to maintain restraint.

Earlier, his cousin, Vangaveeti Srinivas Prasad, councillor in Vuyyur  panchayat resigned to the YSRCP saying that the party has been neglecting Kapu community. He alleged that Kapus got raw deal in the party.

Rumours are making rounds that the party leadership hinted Radhakrishna to contest from the Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency, which was won by TDP candidate Konakalla Narayana in 2014. Radhakrishna is not willing to contest from Machilipatnam since he has good following in Vijayawada Central constituency which has sizable Kapu voters too.

YSRCP has reportedly decided to issue two tickets to Brahmin candidates in the next elections to contest from Vijayawada Central and Bapatla segments, which have sizable Brahmin voters. So, Malladi Vishnu has fair chance to get the ticket.