Date:04/04/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/04/04/stories/2004040405360300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Five file nomination papers

By Our Special Correspondent

TIRUPATI. April 3. Among the five persons who filed nominations today in Chittoor district, one was the Information and Public Relations Minister, N. Sivaprasad, who was nominated the TDP's candidate for the Sathyavedu (SC) constituency and the other was the former TDP MLA, Lakshmidevamma, who submitted her papers as TDP rebel for the Tamballapalle Assembly segment.

She is irked over the allotment of the seat to the BJP in the seat-sharing exercise between the TDP and the BJP combine.

As for the remaining three nominations, it was an RPI candidate, Murugaiah, for the Palamaner (SC) seat, an Independent, P. Rajareddy, for the Chittoor segment and a Congress candidate, T. Sivan, for the Chief Minister's Kuppam constituency.

There was, however, no `B-form' in the papers he submitted. Meanwhile, stalemate continued in the rival TDP and Congress camps with their high commands still dilly-dallying on the naming of their nominees for five and seven segments respectively.

The exercise was held up in the TDP camp due to uncertainty created by a reported move by the PCC spokesperson and its Puttur contender, G. Muddukrishnama Naidu, to cross over to its side.

Unless it was clinched either way, names for the Nagari and the Tirupati segments cannot be finalised.

Regarding Vayalapadu, the hold-up was said to be a tug for the seat between its defeated MLA, Ch. Ramachandra Reddy, and the film actress, Roja, whom the CM was said to be strongly favouring.

The deadlock over this was expected to be ended tonight after the Chief Minister returned to Hyderabad from Nellore.

The seats awaiting clearance on the Congress side are Tirupati, Chittoor, Madanapalle, Kuppam, Chandragiri and Sathyavedu.