TRS invites TDP men to join party

Holding talks with former Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao

Khammam: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party has begun its ‘Operation Akarsh’ in Khammam district after assuming power in the newly formed state. Taking advantage of group politics within the TDP, the TRS leadership is inviting several leaders into their fold.

TDP had faced poll debacle in the general elections due to internal politics even though it had strong support base in the district. It has won only Sathupally Assembly constituency and suffered defeat in all other Assembly segments. TDP divided vertically into two groups because rivalry between former Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and former MP Nama Nageswara Rao. Party sources said that followers belonging to both leaders have worked against each other in the elections which made TDP suffer a miserable defeat.

Followers of Tummala Nageswara Rao are unhappy with the TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu for giving importance to Nama Nageswara Rao. In the previous elections, Tummala Nageswara Rao had requested Chandrababu Naidu to allow him to contest from Paleru Assembly segment. But, Chandrababu did not heed to his request instead he asked Tummala to contest from Khammam Assembly seat. Former Minister had unwillingly agreed to contest from Khammam Assembly despite knowing that Nama Nageswara Rao had influenced Chandrababu Naidu’s decision. He faced defeat in the general elections.

Tummala Nageswara Rao had used his reputation to get ticket of Kothagudem Assembly segment to his follower and MLC Balasani Lakshminarayana. However, Nama Nageswara Rao had influenced Chandrababu and managed to get Kothagudem Assembly seat to his follower. From then on, Tummala was unhappy with party leadership. He expressed anguish that he was unable to do justice to his followers.

Tummala’s followers were exerting pressure on him to leave the party for some time as he was sidelined because of Nama Nageswara Rao. It was learnt that Tummala had convinced his followers to wait for some more time as he had assured Gadipalli Kavitha, one of his followers, with ZP chairperson post. He told them that he would take a decision after conclusion of ZP elections.
Rumours are rife that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Information Technology Minister K Taraka Rama Rao were inviting Tummala Nageswara Rao to join TRS party for the last two months. TDP sources said that K Chandrasekhar Rao personally spoke to Tummala Nageswara Rao as they know each other while working in TDP.

It was learnt that discussions were held between the Chief Minister and Tummala recently in the presence of an industrialist at a hospital in Hyderabad. The TRS president had invited Tummala and his followers into his party. Followers of Tummala Nageswara Rao have opined that he might join TRS after ensuring victory of Potla Nageswara Rao as MLC.

Potla Nageswara Rao’s present term as MLC would end in the beginning of next year. TRS leaders are of the view that party would become strong in Khammam district as there is no strong leader in TRS from Kamma community.