TDP workers protest ticket allotments, attempt suicide

Hyderabad: Nine workers of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) attempted suicide in different incidents protesting against the ticket distribution for the Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh next month, even as the party released two lists containing 91 names in all, sources said.

However, nothing untoward has happened.

Two party workers from Anantapur district tried to immolate themselves near the residence of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu demanding that a particular candidate not be given the party ticket, while six others tried to end their lives in Karimnagar demanding ticket for their leader.

Two workers consumed poison in a bid to end their lives, while another slit his wrist with a blade. Two others attempted self-immolation and were saved by the timely intervention of party leaders.

Two others leaders climbed up their party office building and threatened to jump to their death demanding that the Karimnagar Assembly seat be allotted to their leader Kamalakar and not to an outsider.

The TDP has not announced a candidate for Karimnagar yet.

Meanwhile, in Mahbubnagar district TDP workers set their party office ablaze in protest against the allocation of the Vanapathy Assembly seat to the TRS as part of the alliance.

At one stage, Chandrababu Naidu came out of his house, as agitated party workers from various parts of Telangana staged a protest, and tried to pacify them.

"We shall come to power, don't worry. All those who did not get tickets will be nominated to various posts," he promised.

Senior TDP leaders Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, E Dayakar Rao and others too spoke to the workers and tried to calm them down.

Meanwhile, the Telangana Bhavan, too, witnessed acrimonious scenes as the TRS announced the candidature of 36 candidates for the Assembly seats on Wednesday.

Aspirants who failed to secure a ticket confronted party floor leader in the Assembly E Rajender and other senior leaders and argued with them.

Rajender promised that justice would be done to all in the party and they had to forego certain seats because of the alliance with the TDP and the Left parties.