Date:20/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/20/stories/2008032054810600.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

TDP aspirant for Therlam bypoll launches campaign

Correspondent

The seat falls vacant following the death of Jayaprakash on January 6

VIZIANAGARAM: With Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s formal indication at the recent Cabinet meeting that by-elections in the State are likely to be held in May, Tentu Lakshmu Naidu alias Raja, son of late Tentu Jayaprakash, the sitting Telugu Desam Party MLA from Therlam, formally launched campaign from Pinnavalasa village in Badangi mandal on Wednesday.

Earlier, he offered prayers at the Siva and Sai Baba temples and held discussions with TDP mandal committee leaders, including his uncle Tentu Banerji. When contacted, Mr. Naidu said that a schedule was being finalised for campaigning from March 23 in the constituency. When he met Mr. Chandrababu Naidu recently he had in principle agreed to issue him the party ticket, he said.

The seat fell vacant after his father Tentu Jayaprakash died on January 6.

By-elections in the State are likely to be held in May, according to sources.