The TDP leadership had communicated to Vijayawada sitting MP Kesineni Srinivas (Nani) to keep away from the party programmes. The leadership had told him that the party would be giving the party ticket to contest as MP to a new candidate this time.
Kesineni was also asked to maintain a low profile now as the new candidate would take over the party in the constituency. The party leadership had been promoting Kesineni’s brother Kesineni Sivanadh for the past three years. Sivanadh had been touring the seven Assembly segments of the Vijayawada Parliament constituency for the past three years.
Sivanadh had the blessings of TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh. He had been holding meetings and meeting party leaders in the seven Assembly constituencies as potential candidates for the coming Parliament elections.
This decision of the party was communicated to Kesineni Nani by party former ministers Alapati Rajendra Prasad and Nettem Raghuram, besides Machilipatnam former MP Konakalla Narayana Rao. They told the MP to remain silent and keep away from the party activities in the constituency. He was also asked to give way for the party to nominate a new candidate to contest the coming elections.
While accepting the party decision, Kesineni Nani said that he would accept whatever the party leadership decided. He said he would follow the directions as a loyal party worker.
However, it is to be seen what Kesineni Nani would do to protect his supporters and his leadership. Nani had been aspiring to contest the coming elections for the third consecutive term. He had high hopes of entering the Lok Sabha for the third consecutive term and this communication from the party put a break to his plans.
In all probability, Nani may not remain silent, though he said he would accept and welcome the party decision. There is a big rumour that Nani either would contest as Independent or would go to the BJP and contest.
Nani has great links with the BJP leaders at the national level and it is not tough for him to get the party ticket if he wanted. It is to be seen what he would do in the days to come.
