Kiran wary of new party?

• New party will face time crunch to create considerable base
• YSRCP, TDP in a tug of war in many districts
• Few key leaders are willing to sail with him

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is still not sure of launching a new party. According to some of the Ministers like Ganta Srinivasa Rao and MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, Kiran is unlikely to take such a decision since there is not much time left for the new party to make its presence felt.

Kiran, according to Rao, had thought of a new party in case the Centre postponed the elections by six to eight months. Though the Union Cabinet has cleared the proposal to increase the Assembly constituencies from 175 to 225 in Seemandhra and 119 to 153 in Telangana, the delimitation would take place only after the 2014 elections.

Another reason for Kiran’s unwillingness to launch a party is because he does not enjoy the kind of support he requires to start a new party. A reality check by The Hans India from various districts across the State indicates that though Kiran has won accolades for championing the cause of Samaikyandhra, he would be a late entry in case he decides to float a political party. Kiran is neither a mass leader nor does he have a group of his own. He does not enjoy a strong base even in his own home district. According to available indications, even a majority of those who have been close to him till now may not sail with him once he resigns.

In Chittoor district itself the response appears to be lukewarm. According to ground reports from the district, none of the Congress MLAs except P Ravi of Puthalapattu constituency, MLC Redappa Reddy and DCC president Rajasekhara Reddy are with him. The YSRCP has emerged as the dominant party in this part with TDP at second position.

The situation is no different in Nellore district. The YSRCP and the TDP are considered to be the two main parties in this district. TDP continues to maintain its hold on the BC votes. Anam brothers are not willing to join Kiran. At the most, Adala Prabhakar Reddy and Nellore city MLA M Krishna Reddy may support him and may agree to join him if he launches a new party.

Chances of Kiran making any impact in Kadapa district which happens to be the citadel of YSRCP, are quite bleak. Only leaders like MLA Veerasiva Reddy (Kamalapuram), Kamalamma (Badvel) , former MLAs Ramesh (Lakki reddypalli), Varadarajulu Reddy (Proddatur), Malli karjuna Reddy from Rajampet and present MP Saipratap are with Kiran Reddy.

In Anantapur district, the YSRCP and the TDP are formidable contenders for the ensuing general elections. Minister S Sailajanath and Guntakal MLA Madhusudhan Gupta are the only leaders who are looking forward to the new party while senior leaders like Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy and others will continue to be with the Congress. MP Ananta Venkatrama Reddy is set to join YSRCP.

In Kadapa and Kurnool districts, sources indicate that even Ministers Erasu Pratap Reddy and T G Venkatesh are unlikely to sail with Kiran. Union Minister Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy will continue to be with Congress party.

The situation is no different in the Andhra region. People in Visakhapatnam district feel that if Kiran is a strong integrationist, he should have quit long back. Sabbam Hari could be the only leader who may join Kiran’s party. Other leaders like Ganta Srinivasa Rao and four other MLAs are contemplating to join the TDP. Another important MLA from Visakhapatnam, North Tynala Vijaya Kumar, is joining the YSRCP.

Of the three important leaders in Srikakulam district, former Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao is joining the YSRCP on Sunday while Union Minister Killi Kruparani and State Minister Kondru Murali are not willing to quit Congress.

Similarly in Vijayanagaram, the PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana is a staunch Congressman and will not leave the party. On the other hand, TDP is also strong in this district and it would be a real uphill task for any new party to make its presence felt here.

However, Kiran may find better acceptability in Krishna district as MP Lagadapati Rajagopal and PCC spokesperson G Gangadhar and some second-rung leaders who failed to gain entry into the YSRCP or the TDP may decide to join the proposed new party.

In West Godavari district, Minister Pithani Satyanarayana may decide to go with Kiran, but another Minister Vatti Vasant Kumar is yet to take a decision.

Similarly, the Union Minister Kavuri Sambasiva Rao is also undecided. Kiran’s new party may get heavyweights in Guntur district if MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, Minister Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy, senior leaders Janga Krishna Murthy and S K Mastan Vali join hands with Kiran.