No permanent friends or foes in politics

Peddapalli: Politics is a game, where there will be no permanent friends or foes, only permanent interests.

Most of the candidates contesting in ZPTC and MPTC elections from various mandals under Peddapalli constituency are once in the same party or close friends. But after switching loyalty to other parties after denied ticket, now they become enemies in the election fray.

Due to heavy competition for tickets, the TRS was unable to adjust tickets to all and it had to put some leaders aside due to the differences they had with the people's representatives of their areas.

The candidates, who were denied ticket by the TRS, had shifted loyalties by joining the Congress, which satisfied almost all of them by allotting tickets. While a few have joined BJP and All India Forward Block (AIFB) and got tickets. Now they become rivals to their friends of their former party.

On the other hand, leaders of Congress were disappointed as the party chief had allotted B-forms to the TRS candidates, who joined the party a few hours before nomination submission ends. They left the Congress seeking ticket from other parties and are in fray in the ongoing ZP elections.

Mandala Satyanarayana and Bandari Rammurthy, good friends while they were in the TRS, are now contesting for Peddapalli ZPTC seat. Satyanarayana, a senior leader, expected party ticket but the local MLA Dasari Manohar Reddy had allotted ticket to BC leader Bandari Rammurthy. It was like a blow to Satyanarayana and prompted him to shift his loyalty to Congress and got the ticket.

MLA D Manohar Reddy kept sitting MPP Saraiah Goud of Kalvasrirampur aside using his political strategy. Saraiah Goud efforts to get the ticket and lobbying with Health Minister Eatala Rajendar went in vain. The MLA allotted ticket to his right hand and follower Vangala Thirupathi Reddy. The disappointed Saraiah Goud joined Congress and got ticket and now giving a stiff competition to Thirupathi Reddy of TRS.

It is to be noted here that once Saraiah Goud and Thirupathi Reddy were TDP mandal-level leaders.

The TRS had allotted ticket to JAC leader Akula Mahendar to contest from Odela mandal, who worked as constituency in-charge and did not joined any party. On the other hand, Bodakunta Shankar, who strived hard for strengthening the TRS in Odela mandal since the beginning of the party, was denied ticket. Discouraged by this, Shankar left the party along with his followers and got ticket from All India Forward Block. Now B Shankar is giving a tough fight for TRS A Mahendar in the ZP polls.

In Sultanabad mandal, spouses of two friends are in the fray against each other. Pala Ramarao and Meesala Prakash were senior most mandal-level leaders of Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Later both joined the Congress, but the Congress allotted ticket to Swarupa Rani, wife of Meesala Prakash, as mandal is reserved for women. After the ticket was denied, Pala Ramarao joined the TRS and got ticket for his wife, Pala Sunitha.

Meanwhile, TRS leaders Gunti Kumar, who was with party since its formation, was disappointed for denial of ticket and left the party. He got ticket for his wife Rama Devi from All India Forward Block, who is in the fray against

the TRS and Congress and giving tough fight to both friends.

At the same time, the TRS didn't allotted ticket to the sitting MPP of Aligedu mandal, Kampeli Vijaya this time. So, she joined Congress and got ticket and is in the fray for ZP polls. The party allotted ticket to TRS former Sarpanch's wife M Renuka.

Political interests making the leaders to shift loyalties to the parties, whoever gives tickets to them and forcing them to fight with their once friends in the election.