Internal bickering in the TDP’s city unit came to the fore again on Sunday when Mayor Pantam Rajani Sesha Sai registered her protest in the presence of Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy. Ms. Rajani was invited to the stone-laying ceremony of an agriculture college at Katheru, in which Mr. Reddy was the chief guest.
After unveiling the plaque, the Mayor was surprised as her name was not mentioned on it. When she brought it to the notice of the Minister, he reportedly said it was an issue to be dealt with the protocol officials. Not convinced, she left the programme. None of the party leaders, including the MLAs and the MLC, tried to stop her.
Interestingly, Rajamahendravaram Rural MLA Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary found fault with Ms. Rajani and said it was not correct on her part to leave the programme when a Minister was present.
Mr. Chowdary told the media that protocol violation should be condemned by all, but the way Ms. Rajani handled the situation was not commendable.
Sources said Katheru was not under RMC’s purview, hence there was no need to including the Mayor’s name on the plaque.
Ms. Rajani, however, was not willing to comment.
