TDP to field Balayogi's widow from Amalapuram

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam would be fielding G Vijaya Kumari, widow of former Lok Sabha Speaker GMC Balayogi, for by-election to Amalapuram seat in Andhra Prdesh to be held later this month.
Vijayakumari, who initially refused to come into active politcs, finally conceded following the repeated persuasion by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, party Spokesman Dr N Sivaprasada Rao said in a statement here on Sunday.
The seat fell vacant due to the death of Balayogi in a helicopter crash in Krishna district of the state in March.
State Congress President M Satyanarayana had earlier said the decision of whether or not to pit a candidate against Balayogi''s widow would be taken by party high command.
The state Assembly had resolved that the election should be unopposed if a family member contests following the death of an elected representative in Naxal violence.
This decision was taken during the condolence meeting of Congress MLA Ragya Naik, who was shot dead by Naxals recently. The by-election to Deverakonda Assembly seat, represented by Naik, would also be held with Amalapuram poll.
"Though the decision of unopposed election is limited only in cases of Naxal violence, the final decision on Amalapuram would be taken by party high command," Rao had earlier announced.