Galla Aruna’s elevation in TDP surprises all in Chittoor district

Tirupati: In what is said to be a sudden and surprise move in Telugu Desam Party, its supremo N Chandrababu Naidu has nominated former minister in Congress government Galla Aruna Kumari as politburo member, the highest decision-making body of the party.

Significantly, she was second leader after Naidu from the district to figure in the politburo. It may be recalled that recently she expressed her desire to step down from the post of convenor in Chandragiri Assembly constituency and left for the US for a brief stay there last month.

Immediately after her return, she held a meeting with her cadre and on their request went back on her decision to continue as constituency convener. The very genesis of the problem was that she has been sidelined in the party.

After Aruna Kumari lost the Assembly election in 2014, she expected MLC ticket, which went to Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu. The two-time minister Aruna Kumari did not even get a state-level corporation post. Her followers were of the view that she did not have a say in any matter in the constituency though she belongs to the TDP. All these forced her to step down.

She has her own vote bank in Chandragiri constituency and she can have a say in at least a couple of other constituencies where the factories belonging to her family were located which have thousands of employees.

The party leaders in the district were of the view that party could not lose any big leader in this election year. After the demise of senior leader Muddukrishnama Naidu, Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy was confined to his native Srikalahasti constituency due to ill health and there was no other leader with such a stature in the district than Aruna Kumari.

“All these factors might have weighed in her favour. Though, she was relatively new to party as she joined it in 2014, her overall seniority might have been considered by the party chief and what role she will play in the district party affairs in the capacity of politburo member is to be seen,” observed a senior leader.

However, she made it clear that she is not going to contest next elections while her son and MP G Jayadev will contest again from Guntur. Still, it was felt that Naidu was of the view that her support will be crucial for party in 2019 to give a tough fight to YSRCP leader and sitting MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy.

However, the leaders were cautious in making any comments on her elevation at this juncture, which will play a crucial role in all policy matters and finalisation of candidates in the coming elections. On her part, Aruna Kumari was feeling elated on her new assignment. Speaking to The Hans India, Aruna Kumari said that she was grateful to Naidu for his faith that made her to get a crucial party post.

“Already several associations in the party have approached me from the morning and expressed that they could not get recognition despite working hard. They expressed confidence in me. I will sincerely fulfil whatever task the Chief Minister gives me.

I will not contest in the elections and will work for party candidates victory in all constituencies including Chandragiri,” she maintained. However, so far, she was confined to her constituency only and it has to be seen how she goes hand in hand with other leaders in other constituencies.