Rift between TDP and JS in Godavari districts. A rift has emerged between Jana Sena and Telugu Desam leaders and cadres in the erstwhile Godavari districts, particularly highlighted by recent developments in the Pithapuram constituency. The rift intensified after the announcement that Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan would contest from Pithapuram. Staunch followers of Telugu Desam organized a meeting in Pithapuram, insisting that TD in-charge S.V.S.N. Varma should be allowed to contest from there.
The TD cadres pointed out that Varma had contested and won as an independent from Pithapuram in the 2014 elections when the party did not give him the ticket. In response, the cadres have asked Varma to meet party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and convey their decision. Varma stated that he respects Chandrababu Naidu but would take the final decision based on the opinion of the TD leaders and cadres, who are adamant about not working for non-local candidates.
In Amalapuram, former MLA Ayithabathula Ananda Rao has gone to Mangalagiri to meet Chandrababu Naidu after Jana Sena cadres protested, demanding that the alliance partners allocate the Amalapuram seat to Jana Sena candidate Settibathula Raja Babu. The Jana Sena cadres believe that Raja Babu has significantly contributed to strengthening Jana Sena in the constituency and are eager to see him become the MLA from Amalapuram.
At Rampachodavaram, TD cadres expressed their displeasure against TD candidate Miryala Sirisha. Former MLA Seethamsetty Venkateswara Rao, Vanthala Rajeswari, and others met the TD high command, emphasizing that Sirisha cannot win from the constituency and that the ticket should be given to an experienced candidate.
In Nidadavole, the TD high command instructed former MLA Burugupalli Sesha Rao to support Jana Sena candidate Kandula Durgesh. Meanwhile, senior Telugu Desam leader Yanamala Krishnudu dismissed reports of him joining the YSRC, affirming his commitment to Telugu Desam, as he has been with the party since its inception.