The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) polit bureau member and former Khammam MP Nama Nageswara Rao’s resignation to the party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections has created ripples within the TDP and also across the political spectrum.
Mr. Rao, who solidly stood by the party through the thick and thin for more than one-and-a-half decade, on Tuesday announced his decision to quit the party saying the very survival of the TDP in Telangana State was at stake.
Though he did not make any statement on his future course of action in his resignation letter, political observers feel that he is all set to join the TRS and is likely to be fielded from Khammam Lok Sabha seat. Indications are that his staunch followers, including the TDP district president T. Brahmaiah and Telugu Yuvatha district president G. Harikrishna, are likely to follow suit.
Mr. Rao unsuccessfully contested from the Khammam Assembly seat as TDP candidate backed by the Congress-led Grand Alliance in the elections held in December last.
Mr. Rao’s resignation is likely to take a heavy toll on the TDP in the district, which was once considered as the party’s stronghold.
The party suffered a major setback when its MLA from Sattupalli S. Venkata Veeraiah announced his decision to quit the party and switch over to the TRS a few weeks ago. The TDP, however, heaved a sigh of relief after Aswaraopet MLA Mecha Nageswara announced his decision last month to continue in the party.
Khammam Lok Sabha constituency is all set to turn into a high-stake poll battle ground as indications are rife that the TRS may handpick Mr. Nageswara Rao as its candidate from the constituency and the Congress mulling fielding former Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury to wrest the seat.
