BJP denies NTR's daughter Visakhapatnam ticket

Former Union Minister D Purandeswari, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after quitting the Congress over the Telangana issue, has been denied a ticket from Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha seat, which she represented.

The daughter of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Rama Rao and sitting Member of Parliament from Visakhapatnam joined the BJP on the understanding that she would be given the ticket for the polls too. The BJP Central Election Committee has decided to field its Andhra Pradesh unit chief K Hari Babu in her place.

According to sources, she was denied the ticket, as the Telegu Desham Party -- a BJP ally -- had opposed her candidature. “It is between the two sisters,” said a BJP leader, when asked about the development.

Both TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who is NTR’s son-in-law and Purandeswari are in the race to claim NTR’s legacy and have been political rivals.

Sources added the BJP may consider fielding her from the Rajampeta Lok Sabha constituency.

Purandeswari, who was the minister of state for commerce and industry, had quit the Congress on March 7 saying she was left with no option after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. “The party (Congress) took the decision to bifurcate the state and all abided by it because it was the decision taken by the party. But unfortunately, the manner in which the bifurcation has taken place has hurt me,” she had said.

The BJP has also taken the decision to field Gokaraju Ganga Raju from the Narsapur Lok Sabha seat and Karumanchi Jayaram from the Tirupati (SC) seat.