In a huge setback to the opposition parties, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has made a strategic decision to retain former minister Balineni Srinivas Reddy for the Ongole assembly seat. While a fourth list of candidates is anticipated to be released soon, Jagan's change of heart regarding Balineni Srinivas Reddy, who felt sidelined within the party, comes as a surprise.

Balineni, who had previously struggled to secure CM Jagan's appointment, received a call from the Chief Minister on Wednesday, inviting him to Tadepalli. During the meeting, Jagan presented Balineni with the choice of contesting assembly elections either in Ongole or Giddaluru, to which Balineni opted for Ongole. However, Jagan declined Balineni's request to retain Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, citing potential defection to the Telugu Desam Party. In place of Magunta, Jagan is rumored to be considering local businessman Satyanarayana Reddy or current Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy for the Ongole MP seat, despite a proposal to field former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams trust board chairman YV Subba Reddy, as he appears to be more interested in a Rajya Sabha nomination than a direct election.

For the Kandukur assembly seat, the Chief Minister has decided to replace sitting MLA Manugunta Maheedhar Reddy with Burra Madhusudhan Yadav, the party MLA from Kanigiri. Similarly, Giddalur MLA Anna Rambabu is expected to be replaced by chartered accountant Nagarjuna Reddy.

In a decision reflecting local sentiments, Jagan has opted to retain Narsaraopet MP Lavu Krishna Devarayalu for the Narsaraopet Lok Sabha seat, withdrawing the plan to field Nagarjuna Yadav, who faced strong opposition from local YSRCP leaders. This move aligns with the preferences of local MLAs within the constituency, who advocated for Krishna Devarayalu's continuation.

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