Battle royale on cards as Ganta faces Avanthi

Visakhapatnam: After a series of brainstorming sessions and one-to-one meetings with the key leaders, the Telugu Desam Party finally decided to field HRD Minister and sitting MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao from Bheemili Assembly constituency.

Though several choices were discussed in the party and Ganta Srinivasa Rao refused to contest from Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency, the party agreed to allot him Bheemili Assembly seat. Earlier, the name of Minister Nara Lokesh was also considered for Bheemili.

However, during the day-long discussions with the Ganta Srinivasa Rao and other leaders, the party high command has decided that Ganta is the right candidate for Bheemili seat.

Following the decision of Ganta's candidature, the fight in the Bheemili constituency has now turned very interesting. YSR Congress Party almost decided to field Avanthi Srinivasa Rao from the seat.

During 2009 elections, Avanthi Srinivasa Rao was elected as MLA from Bheemili on Praja Rajyam Party. After the TDP refused to give Bheemili ticket, Avanti joined the YSR Congress Party. The battle between Ganta and Avanthi is expected to be very tight this time. Meanwhile, with severe protests and objections within the party, the TDP has decided not to give Payakaraopeta Assembly ticket to sitting MLA V Anitha.

According to the sources, the party is now examining some fresh names for Payakaraopeta. The party high command assured Anitha that a nominated post will be given to her after the TDP comes to power. Sources said that names of Dr Bangarayya and Vijayalakshmi are under serious consideration for Payakaraopeta constituency.