Tirupati seats allocation puts Naidu’s 40 years of experience to test

In a surprising turn of events, the 2024 general elections have brought about unexpected situations for alliance leaders in Tirupati. The changes in the selections of candidates have unfolded in an unanticipated manner, causing discontent among local party members. The allotment of the Tirupati MLA seat to Jana Sena and the parliamentary seat to BJP has left the TDP leaders and supporters disgruntled, as their party's presence in the region has diminished.

Jana Sena has declared ex-YSRCP MLA Arani Sreenivasulu as its candidate for the Tirupati assembly seat while another ex-YSRCP MLA Varaprasada Rao, will be contesting as BJP's candidate from Tirupati parliamentary seat. The selection of candidates and allotment of key constituencies to coalition partners has raised eyebrows in the TDP circles. These candidates, who were previously sidelined by the ruling party for their poor performance in their respective constituencies, have now become the prominent faces of the alliance. This has caused much dismay to the local BJP, TDP, and Jana Sena leaders.

Local party members are expressing their frustration, accusing the TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu of making poor decisions in his pursuit of power. Some are openly voicing their opposition, while others are silently conveying their frustration to the leadership. When the party leadership introduced Arani Srinivasulu to Jana Sena and Varaprasada to BJP leaders, many locals leaders refused to even acknowledge their names.

The Telugu Desam Party is facing an unprecedented situation in Tirupati. The selection of candidates and allotment of key constituencies to Jana Sena Party and the BJP has ruffled many feathers in the main opposition party. Disappearance of TDP from Tirupati’s political scene has made many party leaders question the 40 years of political experience of Naidu. 

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