A remark by Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao that at times he felt like quitting politics as he was humbled by excessive admiration showered on him by public created a flutter in TRS circles on Saturday.
Realising that his words were likely to have a negative impact on the party, the Minister issued a statement in the evening that no motive be attached to them.
He said the words flowed from him while talking to a group of villagers at Ibrahimpur in Siddipet out of emotion.
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The villagers of Ibrahimpur and nearby Ellupalli had handed over to him unanimous resolutions that they would vote only for Mr. Rao in the coming elections.
Addressing them, the Minister said he was touched by this gesture of people of Siddipet constituency, represented by him, in several villages.
He said he would always cherish the memory irrespective of whether he was in or out of politics. He would never forget the honour that he got till his last breath.
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“You showered your love and affection for me in all elections. How can I repay your gratitude?. I bow to you in all humiliation. I sometimes feel it is better to bow out of politics when I am receiving such respect from you”.
Mr. Rao’s spontaneous offer to quit politics at a time when nothing adverse against him in TRS was heard publicly rattled the party cadre and leaders. In fact, he was rated as one of the four pillars of the party who had an unquestioned reign on the party.
As speculation about power struggle within the party owing to what he spoke picked up since morning, the Minister, who was busy with a meeting of marketing officials during the day later issued a statement denying any motive.
He said he was emotionally charged at the reception that he got from villagers in heavy rain. He felt he could not have asked anything more.
He blamed his rivals for floating false rumours that his position in TRS had declined.
The rumour mills were active that Mr. Rao was overtaken by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s son and Industries Minister K.T. Rama Rao in both government and party affairs.
Giving strength to them, Mr. Harish Rao visibly had minimal role in the conduct of a major rally of TRS at Kongarkalan here earlier in the month. Mr. Rama Rao had shouldered much of the responsibility.