Nallari group likely to join TDP

Tirupati: Speculations gather momentum that former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s group would be joining TDP. His brother Kishore Kumar Reddy was reportedly deliberating the pros and cons of the move with his close aides. Kishore had an informal meeting with his followers at Valmikipuram in Chittoor district on Sunday to muster their support and chalk out future course of action. Going by the indications, joining in TDP will be a reality soon.

Highlights:

• Former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s brother Kishore held a meeting with his followers to chalk out future course of action
• Doesn’t deny the possibility of joining TDP
• Kiran Kumar Reddy might not join the regional party

Nallari family is well known political family in the district. They were very loyal to Congress party since 1962. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s father Nallari Amarnath Reddy won the first election in 1962. Since then their family members – Amarnath Reddy, his wife, Kiran and Kishore have together contested 13 general elections without a break and won 8 times. While Amarnath Reddy lost the election two times his wife Sarojamma, sons Kiran and Kishore were defeated once each.

Former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has strongly opposed the bifurcation of the state,resigned and parted ways with Congress party. Later he formed Jai Samaikyandhra party and fielded candidates during 2014 elections. His brother Kishore Kumar Reddy contested the elections at that time from Piler constituency and secured about 57,000 votes. Though he lost the election to YCP candidate C Ramachandra Reddy, he pushed the TDP candidate to third place.

After the elections, Nallari brothers have been staying distant from active politics. This created confusion and anxiety among their followers. In the recent past, un confirmed news reports said that they would join TDP and Kishore would contest from Rajampet Lok Sabha constituency. There were also rumours that he was seeking TTD chairman post.

TDP top brass wants Kishore Kumar Reddy into their fold as his family has good vote bank in the western part of the district which will strengthen their party further. The industries minister N Amarnath Reddy and other leaders have reportedly held discussions with Kishore Kumar Reddy about his joining TDP.

Kishore was said to have a dialogue with minister and Nara Lokesh as well. It is in this backdrop, Kishore expressed his displeasure at the meeting on Sunday saying that, though his brother and former Chief Minister Kiran has spent Rs.2 thousand crores for various developmental works in the constituency he was defeated in 2014 elections. The time has come now to take a final call on his political future and he wants to tour the entire constituency from September 18.

Speaking to The Hans India, Kishore did not rule out the possibility of his joining Telugu Desam. “We have to see where we will get respect and value,” he said and made it clear that there may not be chances to going to YSRC.

“Any final decision will be taken only after due consultations with Kiran. There is no question of defying his opinion,” he said and expressed confidence on the people of the constituency that they would support whatever decision he takes. Meanwhile, Kiran Kumar Reddy’s follower P Naveen Kumar Reddy who contested in 2014 elections from Tirupati said that he would sincerely follow the command of Kiran Kumar Reddy.

By V Pradeep Kumar