Will liquor baron and MLC Magunta Srinivasula Reddy fight the Lok Sabha elections from Ongole?
The TDP leader’s family is against the move.
A confidential survey said TDP is on a weak wicket in five of the seven assembly segments in the Ongole LS constituency.
Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu had announced Reddy’s candidature two months ago. Naidu had asked Reddy to suggest names for candidates for assembly seats as well.
Reddy had initially keen to take the poll plunge but later developments have made him to rethink.
Reddy is likely to tell Naidu that he would keep his MLC seat. On Thursday, he held a meeting with his confidants and core leaders from Ongole.
It is learnt that Reddy has been briefed that TDP is not on strong wicket in Yerragondapalem, Markapuram, Giddalur, Darsi and Kanigiri although it may make gains in Ongole and Kondepi.
The situation has improved a little in Markapuram and comfortable in Ongole and Kondepi and the leaders felt that it might suffice to overcome the deficit in remaining segments.
The survey has reported a huge gap between TDP and YSRC in Yerragondapalem, leaving Reddy in a dilemma.
YSRC has been trying to poach Reddy for the past several months. YSRC was even ready to ask its MP YV Subbareddy to make way for Magunta Srinivasula Reddy.
“I will remain with TDP and work for the victory of the party candidate,” Reddy told reporters on Friday.
