Kidari yet to announce decision, firm against bauxite mining

YSR Congress’ Araku Valley MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao maintained on Monday that he was still consulting his followers and supporters on switching over to the Telugu Desam even as it was felt that his quitting the party was now only a formality.

Confabulations

Throughout the day and also Sunday, Mr. Sarveswara Rao was meeting his followers at Araku Valley and his scheduled press conference at 8 p.m. did not take place. However, it is believed that he is all set to join TDP at Vijayawada on April 28.

Also joining him will be former MLA Gandi Babji. Mr. Babji has consulted his followers at Sabbavaram on Monday morning and has reportedly taken the decision.

When contacted by The Hindu late in the afternoon, Mr. Sarveswara Rao said he would continue to oppose bauxite mining.

To a question on the TDP Government being keen on taking up bauxite mining, he said, “Chief Minister has said that the Government would not take up bauxite mining and I will join the party if they do not dig up bauxite”.

Asked what his Guru and a senior politician Konathala Ramakrishna is expected to do, the MLA said he had no idea and added, “May be later”.

Thus, as Mr. Sarveswara Rao and Mr. Babji are all set to join TDP, suspense still continues with the case of Mr. Ramakrishna. The Anakapalle-based leader was expected to join TDP a few months ago but it did not happen, one reason said to be strong resentment in TDP over the entry of Mr. Babji, another close follower of Mr. Ramakrishna. There was a lull and the recent Akarsh programme of the TDP saw Mr. Sarveswara Rao deciding to join the party while Mr. Ramakrishna continues to maintain the suspense.

There are also reports that he is not keen on joining TDP now since he may not be honoured according to his status.

Though Mr. Sarveswara Rao, a former MLC of the Congress who joined the YSR Congress along with Mr. Ramakrishna when the party was formed, is set to switch the sides, it has to be seen if he could bring along with him a large number of local leaders and cadre of the YSRC, considering the local Girijans’ strong opposition to bauxite mining.