Perni Nani created a high drama in YSRCP when he announced that he would not contest the election. His decision worried the party. The APHERALD sources said Nani lobbied for entry of industrialist and former MP Badiga Ramakrishna into party to contest from Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency. However, YSRCP announced Pardhasaradhi as Machilipatnam Lok Sabha candidate. The party thought it would not be good to give two neighbouring constituencies, Eluru and Machilipatnam, to one community (Kapus).
The party announced candidature of Thota Chandrasekhar, a Kapu leader, for Eluru Lok Sabha seat, YSRCP president YS Jaganmohan Reddy did not want Badiga Ramakrishna, also a Kapu, for Machilipatnam. Jagan instead has announced a BC leader Pardhasaradhi. In protest against Jagan's decision, Nani wrote an open letter to party activists informing that he was not going to contest Assembly elections due to financial problems.
Nani explained that he spent nearly Rs 2 crore for local body elections by borrowing money from friends and loosing family properties. He said he had decided not to contest Assembly elections due to low financial status. "Party chief Jaganmohan Reddy suggested me to be courageous in tough times. But, I am unable to foot even the bills of my mother's hospitalization," he said in his letter to the party. He begged the party leaders to "understand his situation and decision". Nani's decision created disturbances in the party as he went underground without giving any chance for party leaders to talk to him. Jagan immediately reacted on the issue.
