“I am not after any position of power,” said Dadi Veerabhadra Rao while addressing party men at Anakapalle on Friday, a day after he announced his decision to quit the TDP.
“One can continue in the party without power, but not when slighted and no respect is shown,” he said.
Mr. Veerabhadra Rao said he had served the party for 30 years. “But now, TDP president does not need me or my family,” he lamented.
Mr. Rao has keeping away from party activities ever since he was denied re-nomination to the Legislative Council, where he was Leader of the Opposition, and former speaker Y. Ramakrishnudu was preferred.
Even at that time, he did not hide his discontent stating that all along he had been given indication that he would be renominated. He would have accepted the position if he were taken into confidence and treated in a dignified manner, he maintained. Mr. Rao kept away from Mr. Naidu’s 208-day “Vastunna Meekosam” padayatra that culminated in a public meeting in the city.
Anakapalle, represented four times by Mr. Rao, was one of the constituencies extensively covered in the yatra. However, Mr. Rao met Mr. Naidu twice, including during the latter’s birthday. He also did not participate in the massive public meeting organised marking the completion of the padayatra though prominent leaders from various parts of the State turned up.
Mr. Rao announced in his resignation letter to the party president on Thursday that he and his family members were quitting the TDP.
His son Ratnakar had been appointed president of the party’s rural district unit a few months ago. He had made arrangements for the yatra and accompanied Mr. Naidu.
