A day after he joined the TDP in the presence of Chandrababu Naidu amid fanfare, former Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao is sulking. He was upset over the remarks of senior Polit Bureau member and former Minister Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu had made in the presence of Mr. Naidu at Wednesday’s Praja Garjana rally here.
A visibly upset Mr. Srinivasa Rao was closeted with his aides for a long time. However, neither Mr. Rao nor his aides were available for comment on Thursday. There was some heartburn among the MLAs also. Mr. Srinivasa Rao reportedly told his supporters that such things should be taken in their stride and the focus should be on reconstruction of the State. Besides the areas in which they work in the district are different, it was pointed out. “We have joined the party with a specific goal and if there are any further problems it is for Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and the party to tackle them,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao said.
Launching a vitriolic attack on his arch rival, Mr. Patrudu had said that no one knew how long they (Mr. Rao and his aides) would remain in the party and when they would leave. Mr. Patrudu had advised Mr. Rao not to change his decision quickly and switch parties by the hour.
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He had also reminded the leaders that several partymen had stayed with the TDP when it was out of power for 10 years. Mr. Patrudu has always been vocal against Mr. Srinivasa Rao joining the party. Mr. Rao began his political career with the TDP and later joined the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) when Chiranjeevi floated it. After the merger of PRP with Congress, he was made a Minister.