The tide may well turn against the TDP what with the Paritala family, the loyal scions of TDP in Anantapur district, considering crossing over to the BJP.
Paritala Sunita, the incumbent MLA from Rapthadu constituency and widow of controversial TDP leader Paritala Ravindra, is learnt to have sounded out the BJP leadership on joining the party. With the TDP giving green signal for the entry of former Congress Minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy into its fold, allegedly at the behest of incumbent TDP MLA from Uravakonda Payyavula Keshav in spite of strong opposition from the Paritala group, Mrs. Sunita is learnt to have taken the decision to join the BJP.
It is learnt that Mrs. Sunita and her son Paritala Sriram would announce their decision on the day Mr. Diwakar Reddy joins the TDP or a few days after that.
“While the feuds between Mr. Diwakar family and that of Ravindra were not in the open as long as the latter lived, there was a certain amount of hatred between them. There was an undercurrent, which meant both of them worked against each other’s financial interests,” pointed out a close aide of the Paritala family.
He said they felt insecure and hurt after the TDP leadership disregarded their concerns. “We were told that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu has decided to forego our (Paritala family) support. We were not treated fairly,” he bemoaned. Ravindra had been the rallying point for many leaders and especially the youth of the Kamma community in the district.
If Mrs. Sunita jumps over to the BJP, cadre loyal to the Paritala family in the Assembly segments under Hindupur Parliamentary constituency are sure to follow suit, sources averred.
