TDP has not filled the void created by the death of long-time leader Kodela Siva Prasada Rao in Sattenapalle constituency. The party has been standing by Kodela’s son Sivaram despite his unpopularity in the region. It has not appointed a new in-charge lest it may create the impression that it has abandoned Kodela’s family.
Alternatives
Rayapati Ranga Rao, son of RayapatiSambasiva Rao, has been active in TDP affairs in the district since the family joined the party. He had lobbied for Sattenapalle seat in 2019, but the party fielded Kodela Siva Prasada Rao in spite of serious opposition from even party leaders over the corruption charges on his son Sivaram.
Kodelalost the election and later committed suicide unable to bear the harassment by the YSRCP government. No one is taking care of the party in the constituency in the last one year since Siva Prasad’s demise.
Vangaveeti Radha’s name
Ambati Rambabu, a Kapu, won the seat in 2019. Kapus are a dominant section in Rajupalem and Muppalla constituencies. The constituency has 45,000 Kapu votes, whose support is indispensable for anyone to win the seat.TDP is said to have conducted a survey on making a Kapu leader in-charge of the constituency. The questionnaire of the survey includes the possibility of making Vangaveeti Radhakrishna as in-charge. The feedback from Kapus is said to be positive to the proposal. But Radha being a non-local might be a big disadvantage.
Mallikarjuna on the list
Telugu Yuvata leader Mallikarjuna Rao is also eying Sattenapalle constituency. Being a local is his plus pint. But party leadership doesn’t feel that he can stand up to Ambati Rambabu. The search is going on for a competent leader to shore up TDP in Sattenapalle. The wait by the party cadres for a new leader is likely to end soon.
