Three leaders from North Andhra districts in race for BJP State president post

Sagi Kasi Viswanatha Raju. File
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

BJP senior leader Pakalapati Sanyasi Raju. File
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

P.V.N. Madhav. File
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu

As many as three BJP senior leaders from North Andhra districts are reportedly in the race for BJP State president post as the term of present incumbent D. Purandeswari is going to end very soon. According to sources, the party high command is searching for a new candidate as she was also elected to Parliament from Rajahmundry constituency in the 2024 General elections.

BJP State general secretary and Independent Director in Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Sagi Kasi Viswanatha Raju’s name is reportedly being considered by the party high command as he had been serving the party for the last few decades. The party could not provide him either an MLA or MP seat in the previous elections owing to political and caste equations in the seats allocated for the party as part of the seat-sharing agreement with its alliance partners the Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena Party.

Former MLC P.V.N. Madhav who represented North Andhra Graduate constituency is also in the fray for the coveted post. His confidants are hopeful of his getting the post as he has wide contacts among the party top leaders in New Delhi. Mr. Madhav also could not get an MLA or MP seat in the last elections.

BJP senior leader and former State treasurer Pakalapati Sanyasi Raju has officially applied for the BJP State president post, explaining his credentials to the party high command. Mr. Sanyasi Raju who has been with the party since 1984 has contested for Vizianagaram Parliament seat in 2019 elections. He is hopeful of getting the post as it was not given to any leader from Vizianagaram district.

“BJP State president post was not given to any leader from North Andhra districts after Kambhampati Haribabu, who had served as the party president in undivided Andhra Pradesh. The party may consider this point also apart from observing caste equations and capabilities of each leader before finalising the name,” said a source in the party.