PVP’s meeting with TDP leaders raises eyebrows

Party leaders brush aside speculation that it is a preparatory meeting of the industrialist to gain ground in city

The meeting of industrialist Potluri Vara Prasad (PVP) with some of the Telugu Desam Party leaders in the city gave scope for “some sort of confusion” among the cadre.

The TDP leaders have brushed aside the speculation that it was a preparatory meeting of Mr. Prasad to gain ground in the party circles in the city.

They, however, were quick to add that it created confusion as some of the cadre resorted to campaign that party president N. Chandrababu Naidu was likely to rethink over fielding Kesineni Srinivas (Nani) from Vijayawada Parliamentary constituency.

To meet Naidu

Mr. Nani, however, stoutly denied such a move. The speculations acquired value as Mr. Prasad was said to have an appointment with Mr. Naidu in Hyderabad next week. The industrialist met some of his close childhood pals and advocates during his visit to the city on Thursday. Mr. Prasad did not show interest to discuss about his experience with the YSR Congress. “It is a closed chapter,” was his cryptic reply when the issue was raised by some of his associates.

He was non-committal on possibility of contesting from Vijayawada parliamentary constituency on TDP ticket, sources said.

Mr. Prasad met the TDP president at Hyderabad in January seeking party ticket. The TDP chief welcomed him, but decided to show restraint and suggested him to look for some other constituency. Mr. Naidu, however, told the industrialist and TDP leaders who accompanied him that he found no valuable reason to replace the present in-charge.

He seemed to have suggested other constituencies like Eluru if Mr. Prasad was so keen on joining politics, sources added.

These developments are puzzling for the cadre, but are slipping into election mood in Vijayawada parliamentary constituency.