Disgruntled Jana Sena leaders threaten to contest as independent candidates, work against TDP-BJP-JSP alliance

VIJAYAWADA: A day after Jana Sena Party (JSP) announced candidates for 18 Assembly segments in Andhra Pradesh, dissent grew among its cadres who have now decided to either quit the party or not support the candidate in the TDP-BJP-JSP alliance.

Vijayawada West

Vijayawada West is one of the seats that the JSP sacrificed for its alliance partner the BJP. Earlier it was reported that Pothina Venkata Mahesh might get a ticket from the seat as he was active there for the last five years. But then when BJP MP Sujana Chowdary came into the picture, things started looking bleak for Mahesh.

Since Sujana Chowdary was not announced as an MP candidate from the BJP, it is now being speculated that he would allotted the Vijayawada West Assembly seat.

Due to this speculation, Mahesh's followers went on a hunger strike on Monday demanding allocation of seat for their leader.

Also Read: TDP, BJP, JSP grapple to make nice with one another in AP; mutual trust missing

Speaking on this occasion, Potina Mahesh said that he was a local in the constituency and that he had worked hard for the party for the last five years there. He demanded a ticket to allotted to him. There is a speculation that he might end up contesting as an independent candidate.

Kakinada

In Kakinada, former city Mayor Saroja announced her resignation to the JSP as the state secretary, protesting against the "gross injustice being done to the backward classes in the allocation of party tickets."

She told the media on Sunday that there was no place for sincere and committed workers, and party tickets were given to new entrants.

"Jana Sena is the party of Kapus. Party chief Pawan Kalyan failed to keep up his promise of giving utmost priority to the BCs, women, and youth in issuing party tickets for contesting the Assembly, Lok Sabha," she said.

"Not even a single ticket was given to the Setti Balija community. Nadendla Manohar destroyed the party. Lack of poll and booth-level management organisation is certainly the failure of the leadership," she said with anguish over the state of affairs with the party.

Alleging that she was insulted at every stage, she decided to quit the party and strive to defeat the Jana Sena candidates in Kakinada rural and other constituencies.

Giddalur

In Giddalur of Prakasam district, the JSP got a big shock after Amanchi Swamulu, who was hoping to get a ticket, has decided to contest as an independent candidate.

Swamulu was disappointed that he neither received a ticket nor could meet the JSP founder Pawan Kalyan despite seeking appointment several times.

Swamulu held a meeting with his cadre and Kapu Sangam leaders and has reportedly decided to contest as an independent from the constituency.

Tirupati

With the Tirupati seat being allotted to the JSP, former TDP MLA Sugunamma burst into tears on Monday to express her displeasure and requested Chandrababu Naidu to reconsider his decision.

"What happened to Chandrababu Naidu's surveys? Even though I decided to support any candidate, the party cadre is not agreeing to the proposal. I believe that the Tirupati Assembly seat candidate should be reconsidered. We have criticised the YSRCP at every stage. Now people won't accept if we allot seats to those who defected to the TDP or the JSP," she said.