TDP leaders stay away from campaigning for BJP nominee

BJP candidate in Vijaywada West Assembly constituency has alleged that leaders of TDP, which is in alliance with the saffron party, are not cooperating him in campaigning.

The constituency was allocated to BJP as per the seat-sharing agreement between both the parties.

BJP has fielded sitting MLA Velampalli Srinivasa Rao, which is not gone down well with TDP as well as BJP cadres, causing TDP leader Ch Malyadri to file his nomination from the seat. Rao is facing a strong opponent in YSR Congress leader Jaleel Khan.

The TDP high command delegated VVS Chowdary alias Sujana Chowdary to deal with the dissident but failed to rein in Malyadri. The situation was further compounded by TDP leaders staying away from BJP campaign.

BJP senior leader M Venkaih Naidu, who visited the city on Sunday, also discussed the issue withe local TDP leaders but did not get the positive response from them.