Live
- Vijayawada: AP Chambers urges government to reduce burden of power bills
- Vijayawada: N Chandrababu Naidu arrest rocks AP Assembly
- Vijayawada: ACB court verdict today
- TN CM announces Rs 560 cr relief for paddy crop loss to farmers
- Bengal to use only electric vehicles in administrative functioning
- SC refuses to interfere with order to release Cauvery water to TN, protests erupt in Karnataka
- Land-for-job scam: After Lalu, sanctions against 3 more obtained, CBI tells Delhi court
- IndiGo & British Airways sign codeshare agreement
- Bengal to use only electric vehicles in administrative functioning
- I and B ministry advisory to all TV channels, no to persons with terrorism charges in debates
Srihari, Rajaiah groups set for faceoff
Confrontation between the groups led by former Deputy Chief Minister T Rajaiah and incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari seems imminent if the comments of the former are any indication. It might be noted that Rajaiah, during the launch of TRS membership drive at Station Ghanpur, warned that he would not tolerate interference of ‘outsiders’ in the affairs of Station Ghanpur constituency, which he represented.
Bid to gain upper hand in Station Ghanpur affairs
Warangal: Confrontation between the groups led by former Deputy Chief Minister T Rajaiah and incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari seems imminent if the comments of the former are any indication. It might be noted that Rajaiah, during the launch of TRS membership drive at Station Ghanpur, warned that he would not tolerate interference of ‘outsiders’ in the affairs of Station Ghanpur constituency, which he represented.
According to party sources, it hinted at a confrontation of both the groups. It was said that following the entry of Srihari into Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in 2013 and winning as Warangal MP in 2014 general elections, he was trying to gain an upper hand in the affairs of the constituency.
Rajaiah, the sitting MLA currently and at that time, was equally trying hard to protect his base. This led to behind-the-scene confrontations, which often become evident as both groups fought openly. Incidentally, Station Ghanpur Assembly segment falls under Warangal Lok Sabha limits and both the leaders belong to Scheduled Castes. It might be recalled that during the Mandal Praja Parishad (MPP) elections in July 2014, supporters of both leaders openly clashed over the nomination to co-option member of local MPP.
Similarly, the groups also fought over the issue of Assembly ticket during the 2014 general elections. Srihari holds a considerable grip over Station Ghanpur politics. While representing the constituency, he was a minister for nine years from 1995 to 2004 in the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government.
Now, he was keen on regaining his past glory as he did in getting elevated to the post of Deputy Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Rajaiah, who made strong efforts to build a base in the constituency after winning as MLA in 2009 and 2014 general elections and one by-election, was also credited with building the TRS cadre since his entry into the party in 2011. Rajaiah’s supporters said that it was because of Srihari their leader lost the post, while the followers of Srihari argued that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had intended to make use of the administrative talents of their leader to achieve development.
“Such group wars will do no good to the party, particularly when the party is gearing up to strengthen its base by conducting membership drive,” commented a senior TRS leader on the condition of anonymity. He told The Hans India that the conflict between both the leaders was already taken to the notice of the party’s top leadership. “Before things get worse, the warring leaders should be made to sit together and sort out their differences,” he suggested.
By:James Edwin
