Attempts by Bhongir MP Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy to get vice-like grip on the seven Assembly segments in his parliamentary constituency at the cost of antagonising constituency in-charges, including TPCC chief and Jangaon MLA Ponnala Lakshmaiah, is now proving costly for him.
Bearing his unilateral decisions where the MP used to organise Government and party functions without informing the local leaders drew wide spread criticism. He used to organise government and party meetings without informing the local constituency leaders quite often.
Irked Congress leaders are now hitting back at him by strongly lobbying with the top leadership to eject him from the constituency. Moreover, these leaders are trying to lobby to get the seat for their own man.
Mr. Rajagopal Reddy, party men say, has running feud with Mr. Lakshmaiah, former Minister R. Damodar Reddy, Rajya Sabha member Palvai Goverdhan Reddy and Chinthala Venkateshwar Reddy (Bhongir Assembly constituency) and lone BC Congress MLA from Alair Budida Bikshamaiah Goud.
His brother Komatireddy Venkat Reddy’s close associate and Nakerkal MLA C. Lingaiah, is the only one backing him. The MPs detractors are now determined to show him his place. Mr. Goverdhan Reddy managed to ensure appointment of his follower Kondeti Mallaiah as convenor to Nakerkal to check-mate Komatireddy brothers, while Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Nethi Vidyasagar, who has strong presence among the BC voters, does not sail with the former. Though, the brothers have no problem with former Congress MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy, the latter is now forced to back Mr. Ponnala and TPCC working president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who too is not comfortable with them.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Damodar Reddy claimed that the high command has assured him to allot Bhongir seat to his son Sarvotham Reddy. The former Minister’s son has the backing of the TPCC working president and Mr. Goverdhan Reddy.
But in the changing scenario once Mr. Lakshmaiah became the TPCC chief, his inclination for the Bhongir Parliamentary seat has changed the equations. Nalgonda DCC president T. Devender Reddy included Mr. Nethi Vidyasagar Rao’s name to the list.
Senior leaders told The Hindu that Komatireddy brothers had planned to cross over to the YSRC, if the Congress fails to divide the State. There are charges that they had prepared the supporters over a year ago to switch loyalties. But once the division was announced, they started projecting themselves as champions of Telangana, leaders alleged.
“But, the high command is having every detail about brother’s movement,” a veteran leader said.
