With the TDP senior leader Mandava Venkateswar Rao joining the TRS, the party is almost empty and rudderless. Except former MLA Eleti Annapoornamma and a few others, there is none worth mentioning in the party. Chances of bringing back the past glory of the party seem bleak as many leaders have left it one after the other, after the formation of Telangana. The last bunch of leaders who remained in the party joined the TRS recently and they include party district president B. Baga Reddy, State vice-president G. Amarnath Babu and Ambadass.
They are, in fact, the followers of Mr. Mandava, who held a key position in the TDP since its inception. A few days ago, Mandava’s close political follower and former MLC Arkala Narsa Reddy joined the TRS from Congress. Narsa Reddy, who joined Congress along with A. Revanth, had sought the party ticket to contest from Nizamabad (rural) in the Assembly polls. However, Congress denied him a ticket and preferred R. Bhoopathi, MLC (TRS), who kept himself away from TRS before teaming up with Congress.
With the association of Mr. Mandava, who has a vast experience as a five-time MLA and Cabinet Minister for several years, the political equations would change drastically. The seasoned politician has a good reputation and influence. He is known to be close to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao since they served as Ministers in Chandrababu Naidu’s Cabinet.
After 2009 victory, Mr. Mandava kept himself away from active politics and did not contest 2014 and 2018 elections.
Despite the TRS leaders exerting pressure on him in the last ten years, Mr. Mandava did not give in. As M. Rao reportedly promised him a prominent post, many of his old followers are likely to rally behind him, which might lead to the emergence of another power centre in the constituency held presently by Bajireddy Govardhan.
