Marthi Subrahmanyam
Vijayawada
Despite the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders waging a ceaseless fight against the YSRCP government for the last three-and-a-half years led by N Chandrababu Naidu, the internal issues including not appointing in-charges to many constituencies and lack of coordination among leaders has been causing concern to the high command.
Except in Rayalaseema, the differences among the TDP leaders still exist, causing concern to Chandrababu Naidu. When Nara Lokesh is all set to embark on ‘padayatra’, the tussles among senior leaders have come to the fore, embarrassing the high command.
Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Keseneni Srinivas Nani and Buddha Venkanna episodes have caused uan proar in the TDP. Ganta Srinivasa Rao has attended neither the Assembly sessions nor the party meetings so far.
Adding to the woes of the TDP high command, former minister Ch Ayyannapatrudu recently commented against Ganta Srinivasa Rao questioning his role in the party. Ayyannapatrudu’s comments caused embarrassment among the TDP senior leaders.
TDP sources said that Ganta Srinivasa Rao met Nara Lokesh a few days ago after keeping quiet for three-and-a-half years. TDP leaders could not digest Ganta Srinivasa Rao’s sudden meeting with Lokesh.
A TDP leader said that Ganta Srinivasa Rao did not come out when Chandrababu Naidu was prevented by the police in Visakhapatnam. He did not participate in agitations against the establishment of three capitals. Ganta did not take part in the struggle against the YSRCP leaders grabbing lands either, he added.
TDP leadership has given the seat to Ganta Srinivasa Rao which he asked for. He also submitted his resignation to the Assembly Speaker without informing the TDP leaders, a TDP senior leader recalled.
Significantly, Ganta Srinivasa Rao even tried to join the YSRCP but could not since the former minister and his arch-rival Avanti Srinivasa Rao vehemently opposed it. Ganta met the then BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav without the permission of the TDP high command.
“Since all routes have been closed, it seems, Ganta Srinivasa Rao finally decided to remain in the TDP,” a TDP senior leader commented.
In Krishna district, an interesting political battle ensued as rivalry between TDP MP Kesineni Srinivas Nani and his brother Kesineni Chinni is simmering. A war of words ensued between the brothers taking all the TDP leaders and cadre by surprise.
The MP’s followers alleged that MLC Buddha Venkanna is backing Kesineni Chinni. The MP made it clear openly that he would not extend support to his brother Chinni.
In Guntur district, former MLA Dhulipalla Narendra is backing Dr.Challagalla Srinivas who has a rivalry with former MLA Yarapathineni Srinivasa Rao.
In Ponnuru, former minister Alapati Raja is extending support to NRI Vyuur Srinivas who has differences with Dhulipalla Narendra. NRI Srinivas organised a programme in Guntur to distribute clothes to the poor in which a stampede took place claiming three lives. Many senior leaders are locked in hostility with other senior leaders in various districts. Moreover, dissatisfaction prevailed among the TDP leaders for not appointing in-charges to more than 60 constituencies. The TDP leaders questioned the high command of the appointment of Makineni Peda Rathaiah as in charge of the Prathipadu reserved constituency.
