Ever since the inception of the Praja Rajyam Party, there have always been obstacles for the smooth functioning of its urban unit with its successive conveners unable to run the affairs of the party effectively because of various constraints.
The situation continues the same even now, even as the party top brass played safe by not giving the party reins to any particular leaders to avoid any further problems. While the leadership vacuum persists, another irritant continues to crop up regarding the role of former MLA Vangaveeti Radha Krishna, who has considerable clout among the followers of his father late Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga.
Because of his dominating role, the successive conveners of the Praja Rajyam could not establish their hold in the urban unit affairs which eventually led to their quitting the party. Mr. Radha's defeat in last Assembly elections turned out to be a dampener for the party, though it won two of the three MLA seats in the city.
Against this backdrop, rumours circulate now and then about Mr. Radha Krishna's future plans about switching loyalties. These rumours are further reinforced from time to time, as the former MLA was not seen making much effort in taking forward the party activities.
Some speculated that he would switch loyalties to their family's parent party (Congress), while others considered the probability of his joining the Telugu Desam Party because of his “cordial relations” with that party MLA Kodali Sri Venkateswara Rao and senior leader Vallabhaneni Vamsi.
As Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu gained strength in the constituency, it is said that he would do everything possible to block any efforts by Mr. Radha Krishna to re-join the Congress. As of now, the former MLA maintains a low profile in the Praja Rajyam urban unit with its affairs being run from the premises of Vijayawada East MLA Yelamanchili Ravi at present.
The first convener of Praja Rajyam city unit was Kesineni Nani, who had to quit following an intense power struggle caused by leaders who were stated to have been encouraged by a powerful section in the party at that time.
Then Boppana Bhavan Kumar came as city convener, but his tenure did not last long following differences over allotment of party ticket and also over the functioning of the urban unit.
As the vacuum persists, the party leaders and cadres in the Praja Rajyam unit feel unhappy but maintain silence over its affairs.
