Former Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao’s re-entry into the Telugu Desam is a big political event and people are also interested in seeing its after-effects as Mr. Srinivasa Rao and a senior party leader, Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, are at loggerheads, with the latter making it clear that he was not happy to see the former back in the party.
Mr. Ayyanna Patrudu reiterated his stand in his home town, Narsipatnam, on Friday that he was not against Mr. Srinivasa Rao’s re-entry but was of the firm opinion that it would in no way help the party. He also wondered how Mr. Chandrababu Naidu would explain to people Mr. Srinivasa Rao’s re-entry into the party since he was always going hammer and tongs against the Congress and YSR Congress. He has already explained to Mr. Naidu that this would send a wrong message to people, Mr. Ayyanna Patrudu said. He further said that he would react only after Mr. Srinivasa Rao was readmitted into the party.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao, who announced here on Saturday that he and four MLAs of the Congress would join the TDP during the Praja Garjana here on March 12, avoided being drawn into the controversy. He would not comment he said when asked to react to the statement (of Mr. Patrudu) that thieves were being admitted into the party.
This may be due to the damage control measures being taken by the party leaders, presumably at the behest of the high command.
Ganta pleasedOn Friday, senior party leader and former MP, M.V.V.S. Murthi, arranged a meeting of Mr. Srinivasa Rao and the four MLAs with TDP leaders as a prelude to the Praja Garjana here on March 12 during which the five will join the party. Party MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu along with some former corporators met Mr. Patrudu at Narsipatnam on Friday evening. Mr. Babu did not reveal the details of his discussion with Mr. Patrudu but said that if there were differences Mr. Chandrababu Naidu would sort them out.
Other TDP leaders welcomed Mr. Srinivasa Rao’s decision to return to the party and he was pleased with the feeling of homecoming created at Friday’s meeting. His return to the TDP was a historical necessity since Mr. Chandrababu Naidu needed support from all to put the State back on the rails, he said.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao and Mr. Patrudu not using strong words against each other in the recent past indicated that the patch-up efforts are bearing fruit. Mr. Patrudu reportedly wants the TDP ticket for his son Vijay for the Anakapalle Lok Sabha constituency, while he will once again contest the Assembly seat from Narsipatnam. His family is already touring the Narsipatnam Assembly segment area and meeting all the people who matter. Mr. Naidu has reportedly agreed to Mr. Patrudu’s proposal.
