Ministers, chief whip dump YSR, reveal his 'other side'

By Express News Service - HYDERABAD

26th March 2013 12:06 PM

     Several ministers and the chief whip let the cat out of bag in the state Assembly on Monday. They almost disowned former chief minister the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy and revealed some ‘secrets’ about him. The ministers also heaped praises on Kiran Reddy and said he was performing better than YSR.
When nine-hour free power to farmers and free supply to SC and ST housing colonies were mentioned by the opposition members during a debate on the power situation, in the Assembly on Monday, the ministers came to the rescue of Kiran Reddy.
Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy, chief whip: When I was an MLA, I have approached the then chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy with a request to raise a question on how the nine-hour free power supply to farmers would help them. But Rajasekhara Reddy refused to post the question. I immediately dropped it. Rajasekhara Reddy clearly told me that the nine-hour free power supply was not possible to implement in the near future.
DK Aruna, information minister: When I undertook a padayatra in Mahbubnagar district in 2003 for early completion of irrigation projects, the then opposition leader YS Rajasekhara Reddy participated in it. He decided to go on a padayatra after watching the tremendous response to my yatra. Reddy was inspired from my padayatra. No one knows this secret.
S Sailajanath, primary education minister: I too asked YS Rajasekhara Reddy to waive the power bills of SC and ST colonies, which was around Rs 100 crore. But, he wanted them to bear at least 50 percent and the remaining 50 percent would be borne by the government. Rajasekhara Reddy also opposed free power to SC and ST households.
Kondru Murali Mohan, medical education minister: When Rajasekhara Reddy was chief minister, I had approached him with a request to give free power of at least 100 units per month to SC and ST colonies. SCs do not have land holdings. As the government is giving free power to farmers, SCs and STs were not getting any benefit. I requested Rajasekhara Reddy to supply free power to them. But, he rejected the proposal. Narrating another incident, Murali said when the government was giving only Rs 25,000 under the weaker sections housing scheme, I have requested Rajasekhara Reddy to enhance the amount. But, he did not enhance the amount for two years. I have raised the issue in the CLP meeting. Now, Kiran Reddy hiked it to Rs 45,000.

Comments(3)

None of these people raised these issues when YSR was alive. Because they shared a part of the loot. Now that YSR is dead, and his son YSJ is out of the mafia, the Congress mafia is going after the separate YSR mafia. So much for democracy in Congress.

Posted by Chandu at 03/26/2013 16:52 

We can expect more than this from the present congress ministers ( after all they are close friends now to the low tech Chnadra babu Naidu ( The back stabber) they are also doing the same thing to YSR what CBN done to his father in law ( NTR) earlier

Posted by Rama Bhaskar at 03/26/2013 17:56 

Congress politicians will sell Bharath Maatha to enemies if they see any kind of Profit in it. Congress politicians in AP are trying to become ministers/Union ministers and for Sonia's attention they will do any kind of dastardly act like chopping the hands that fed them, kicking the breasts that fed them milk as babies. Today's congress politicians are tomorrows's Tihar inmates.

Posted by Santosh at 03/27/2013 06:13  

 

ends

Mantris Breathe Fire as Babus Decide Policy

TG Venkatesh's outbursts point to a deeper divide between ministers and officers

By VV Balakrishna | ENS - HYDERABAD

22nd December 2012 09:57 AM 

Hyderqabad: Several ministers in Kiran Kumar Reddy Cabinet are said to be upset with their secretaries and other officials. It is officers vs ministers for quiet some time in the state.
Minor irrigation minister TG Venkatesh, on Thursday, did not hide his aversion towards IAS officers and called non-performing officers 'sannasis'. Venkatesh has rebuked IAS officers publicly on an earlier occasion too.
There are also several other instances where ministers and officers locked horns. Recently, textiles minister Gaddam Prasad Kumar blamed IAS officers Sabyasachi Ghosh and D Srinivasulu saying they have issued as many as nine government orders (GOs) without his knowledge. The minister lodged a complaint with chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy.
A few months ago, stamps and registration minister Thota Narasimham was shocked when he got to read in newspapers that an order was issued hiking registration fee under certain categories. He wanted to rollback the hike immediately and the government cancelled the GO. The minister, who is supposed to decide policy matters, ended up demanding cancellation of a GO of his own department.
In another instance, when government employees disclosed their recent deliberations with chief secretary Minnie Mathew concerning health cards, some ministers were uncomfortable.
Issuing health cards to around 10 lakh workforce in the state was a major achievement and the ministers did not want the entire credit go to the chief secretary. Though the health cards are supposed to be issued from January 1, it was delayed due to the 'leak' by employees.
Finance minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy called the media hurriedly and announced that it was the chief minister who has to take a decision on health cards.
The alleged differences between infrastructure and investment minister Ganta Srinivas and his secretary Sunil Sharma resulted in the transfer of Sharma early this week.
Likewise, animal husbandry minister P Viswarup was unhappy with his officers for making some shuffling in the department without his knowledge.
The main reason for the differences between mantris and babus is that several ministers are first-timers and the officers were very senior. As a result, the ministers who are expected to ensure that officers deliver the goods, are unable to wield any control over them.
"I was bypassed by my officers as I am a junior minister. My secretaries are seniors," lamented a minister.


QUOTE
I was bypassed by my officers as I am a junior minister. My secretaries are seniors. -a minister
GRAPHIC

THE FUMING FEW
Ganta Srinivas shunted out his secretary Sunil Sharma.

TG Venkatesh gets into the offensive against IAS officers frequently.

Ministers are not ready to allow credit going to the chief secretary and as a result the file pertaining to employees' health cards was delayed.

Viswarupu is unhappy with his officers over the goings-on in his department.

Prasad Kumar and Thota Narasimham are upset over being kept in the dark over GOs of their departments.

Mantri blasts babus, kicks up row

By VV Balakrishna - HYDERABAD

21st December 2012 11:53 AM

Minor irrigation minister TG Venkatesh is at it again.
Months after he kicked up a storm with his remark that IAS officers who do not perform should be shot dead on the streets, the mantri once again took on the bureaucracy when he said even dishonest officers deliver goods to some extent compared to some honest secretaries.
“Some secretaries do not do any work saying they are honest. If any secretary or officer does not work, he is a ‘Sannasi’ (worthless person), even if he is an honest officer,” the minister said. Even dishonest secretaries deliver at least some goods, he said.
The minister was addressing a media conference as a part of the Praja Hitam programme at the Secretariat. He said principal secretaries needed some sort of training to work better.
The minister said when he took charge as minor irrigation minister, the officers were not up to the mark. Now, the team has a modern outlook in their work, he said.
The minister also explained how he struggled hard to put some systems in place in minor irrigation, APIDC etc.
When Venkatesh made scathing remarks against officials some months ago, it sparked protests from IAS officers, who lodged a complaint with chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. However, the minister did some damage control later.
Now, during his latest outburst, minor irrigation special secretary Pradeep Kumar, who seated beside the minister kept silent, though he appeared to be taken aback.

IAS ASSN HITS BACK
IAS officers association vice-president Prasanta Mahapatra, when asked about the mantri's comments, said he had not heard the comments of TG Venkatesh.
"Yet, I can make some general remarks. Ministers and officers work under the Constitutional framework and ministers run the government. The ministers should trust their officers. If any honest officer was not doing work, then the minister should pinpoint that particular officer," he added.
He said it was the responsibility of the ministers to utilise the services of officers properly. "If the minister fails to do it, he is only wasting public money. Has Venkatesh submitted any note to the chief minister saying that a particular officer was hanging around without any work in the name of honesty?" Mahapatra wondered.
Public should pose these questions to ministers whenever they make comments against officers, he added.

QUOTE
If any secretary or officer does not work, he is a 'Sannasi'. TG Venkatesh, minor irrigation minister

AP Politicos Too Going MobiApp Way

The YSR Congress party has launched mobile application for Andriod platform enabled mobile phones. TDP too will soon launch its applications on mobile phones.


Express News Service
Hdearbad:   Like Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, the Andhra Pradesh politicos too are going MobiApp way.
The YSR Congress party has launched mobile application for Andriod platform enabled mobile phones. TDP too will soon launch its applications on mobile phones.
YSR Congres president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy formally launched the services on Thursday. The YSR Congress mobile application can be downloaded from the URL
"http://play.google.com" or "www.ysrcongress.mobi"
using any android platform enabled smart mobile phones. This application will have latest information about YSR Congress party. News, photos, videos, events and press releases will be updated regularly.
While launching the MobiApp, Jagan said that this  would help reaching mobile users across the state especially youth, students and smart phone users to know the latest information about the party.
This application was designed and developed by party IT wing member Suresh Bomma, CEO of Indsys Systems and freely available for download.
The party IT wing convenor Madhu Challa told Express that the services were initially available for Nokia and Andriod phones.  The services would be available soon to all smart mobile phone users like  iPhone, Windows, Symbian and Blackberry, he said.
Madhu claimed that for the first time in the country, a political party had an official mobile application.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) too created a MobiApp for its party. "Once we have launched facebook of TDP and facebook of TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu, we will upload all the services on mobiles," TDP IT wing incharge Srinivas said.
He, however, added that MobiApp had smaller number of users when compared to Facebook and Twitter. He said that TDP had already reached out to large number of tech-savvy youths.
It was indeed a handy tool to all the political party workers, who are on the move, to know the updates of their respective parties on smart phones. The MobiApp enables them to have continuous alert messages for each article and videos uploaded.

Who Owns More Expensive House, Jagan or Naidu?

`REAL' WAR

TDP wants editors to visit the houses of two leaders and judge for themselves



Hyderabad: Whose house is more expensive, Jagan's or Naidu's?
This question has been dominating a fresh political row raging between Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
A day after Naidu had alleged that Jagan had huge palaces at several places in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the Sakshi newspaper owned by Jagan ran a story on Naidu's house. On Sunday it carried a story 'Abaddhala Babu Address Idi (this is the address of Naidu, who is a liar) with a photo of Naidu's house in Jubilee Hills.
Reacting to it, the TDP wanted editors of all media houses to conduct an independent inquiry into the houses of Jagan and Naidu to decide who owns the more expensive house.
At a media briefing on Saturday had Naidu alleged that Jagan owned huge palaces at Pulivendula, Kadapa, Idupulapaya, Lotus Pond (Hyderabad) and in Bangalore. "I have been in politics for 32 years but I have only a three-bedroom house. One is for my son Lokesh and another for me. The third is meant for guests," he claimed. But, during just five years of YS Rajasekhara Reddy's chief ministership, his family owned huge palaces, Naidu alleged.
Former minister of Karnataka Gali Janardhan Reddy too had a big house with golden chairs, golden beds and gold plates for meals, Naidu said, wondering how they earned such huge money in a short time.
In a counter-attack, Sakhsi carried the story on Naidu's house. Reacting to this, TDP Politburo member K Yerran Naidu wanted editors to visit the houses of Jagan and Naidu to judge the claims of the two leaders. "Jagan never allowed media into any of his houses including a big palace in Bangalore and one in Hyderabad," Yerran Naidu said.
He recalled that national political leaders visited Naidu's house several times and they had lunch in the dining room. "Even media too was allowed to take photos in the dining room of Naidu. Jagan's media is carrying fictitious stories on Naidu's house," Yerran Naidu said.

TDP's claim
* Jagan has five houses, one each at Idupulapaya, Pulivendula, Kadapa, Bangalore and Hyderabad
* The palace in Hyderabad costs Rs 200 cr and stands on 88,000 sq feet which is equivalent to 88 double bedroom flats
* Bangalore Green Belt house was constructed in 23 acres and is worth Rs 400 cr


YSRC's counter-claim
* Naidu's house is worth RS 8.8 cr
* It was built on 1,300 square yards
* It is a three-storeyed building and not a three-bedroom house
* There are several deviations from the approved plan

 comments

Is there a real need for the media to conduct an independent into the houses of political leaders? Here in USA, our city has a public record of every house, its city-assessed value, and the property tax on it. The property tax on a $500,000 house is about $6,000 per year. I hope the Hyderabad corporation has assessed these houses. If the houses are 5 crore Rupees, then the corporation might collect Rupees 600,000 in annual taxes. How much are they really paying? Does the corporation collecting any taxes at all from these owners?

By Som Karamchetty
11/8/2011 8:04:00 AM

Jagan remained uncrowned king of andhra during his fatheres regime, he cany settle for anuthing less than the crown itself. He is our state's yuvraaj while Rahul remains unchalenged yuv raaj of delhi kingdom. The old Maharaajas have been replaced by the current political dynasties. Looks like we cant get rid oof ragas ever...

By dave
11/7/2011 8:26:00 PM

Jagan is making immature moves: TDP

Last Updated : 24 Aug 2011 11:30:32 AM IST

HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam, the main opposition party in the state, thinks that the `political immaturity and arrogance’ of YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy has placed it in an advantageous position, though temporarily, vis-a-vis its rivals Congress and YSR Congress.

Eager to contest the by-elections to test the strength of its own and that of the YSRC the TDP hopes the Assembly speaker will accept the resignations of the 29 MLAs. It also wants to assess how the of the state are viewing the anti-corruption movement. The outcome of the by-elections, it thinks, will help it face the general election in 2014.

The TDP is also not averse to moving a no-trust motion against the Kiran Kumar Reddy government. Though, the party has no plan to move the motion immediately, it may consider it when the Assembly is convened. This is to deflect the criticism from YSRC leaders that the Congress and the TDP colluded with each other to target Jagan. The party is pretty sure that the motion will be defeated going by the present strength of the Congress in the Assembly.

The TDP is of the view that Jagan is making wrong moves politically and his arrogance made his MLAs resign, which may be construed as challenging the order of the High Court.

“When the entire nation rose together against corruption, what will these MLAs explain to people in defence of a corrupt leader?” wondered a leader. “We will thoroughly expose the corrupt people in the coming days. We will take up a series of programmes to mobilise the support of people against corruption,” said party chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

equally firm on exposing the ruling party, he said the Congress had no right to remain in power.

But TDP leaders do not claim that the Kiran Reddy government slipped into minority after the resignations of 29 MLAs and will not fall on its own. Nor can it be dislodged by the TDP.

Sources acknowledge that the government cannot be dislodged by the TDP. Even if the TDP musters enough strength and topples the Congress government it will not help the main opposition party. Instead, it wants the government to complete its full term in which case anti-incumbency mood the people will crystallise by the time next elections take place.

It also wants the CBI raids on Jagan to continue so that he will become weak politically. In the meantime the TDP hopes to retrieve its lost ground to fight elections as a strong force.

It also hopes the Jagan factor, CBI raids and inevitable by-elections will all divert people’s attention from the Telangana issue.

Congress Turnstile: PRP MLAs enter as pro-Jagan MLAs exit

HYDERABAD: The state on Monday witnessed turnstile politics— the entry of PRP MLAs and exit of pro-Jagan MLAs— which ultimately holds electoral algorithm good for chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

As announced by YSR Congress leaders, as many as 26 MLAs (23 of Congress, two of TDP and one of PRP) submitted their resignations to the Assembly secretary in the morning. All of them submitted their resignations in the prescribed format. Sometime ago three Congress MLAs from Telangana had submitted their resignations demanding separate Telangana. The three— K Surekha, Jayasudha and Satyawati— too extended their support to YSRC and demanded that their resignations too should be accepted along with those who resigned now. In all, 29 MLAs came out openly in support of YS Jagan on Monday. Explaining the reasons for their resignations, they said they were pained to see the late chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s name figure in the FIR filed by the CBI and were unable to stay on in the “murky” Congress.

They said they were not sure whether their resignations would be accepted by the speaker or rejected as those of Telangana MLAs recently. If the speaker does not accept the resignations, the YSRC leaders may knock on the doors of the Raj Bhavan or court of law.

As the pro-Jagan MLAs were paying floral tributes to YSR at his statue in Somajiguda and drove straight to the Assembly to submit their resignations, actor-turned politician Chiranjeevi arrived at the Begumpet airport by a special flight from Delhi and drove straight to Gandhi Bhavan where his 17 MLAs and other leaders took the membership of the Congress in the presence of the PCC chief, chief minister and other leaders.

PRP MLAs' official entry into the Congress nullified the exit of pro- Jagan MLAs who also faxed their resignations from the primary membership of the Congress. “We have faxed our resignations from the party membership to the PCC chief. We do not want to continue in the Congress party,” YSRC leader Konda Surekha said.

But YSRC leaders are not sure if the speaker will accept their resignations. Said MLA and former minister P Subhashchandra Bose: “Any rejection of our resignations will spell doom to the Congress.”

Immediately after submitting their resignations, the YSRC leaders went to Idupulapaya to visit the YSR Samadhi and pay tributes to the departed chief minister.

The PRP MLAs, who were inducted into the Congress, have started dreaming of ministerial posts but the chief minister is sitting pretty and not under any compulsion to accommodate them as the main ppposition party, Telugu Desam, is in no mood to topple the government.

Chiru returns to ‘pack up’ PRP

Express News Service

First Published : 08 Feb 2011 04:59:26 AM IST

Last Updated : 08 Feb 2011 10:01:52 AM IST

HYDERABAD: The Praja Rajyam office wore a deserted look here on Monday, a day after Chiranjeevi announced the merger of his party with the Congress.Except for a few top and second-rung leaders, the rest were conspicuous by their absence. Sources said Chiranjeevi will return from Delhi on Tuesday and hold a meeting with his MLAs. The party’s extended State committee meeting will be held on Feb 9 to finalise the modalities of the merger.For now, no Congress flags or buntings were around. All that will change soon after Chiru’s return, the sources said. It is learnt that Congress’ district presidents have been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring a “smooth transformation” of PRP cadres into Congress workers. “The DCC presidents in all districts are in touch with local PRP leaders. They are explaining the benefits of the merger. It will be a smooth affair for both of us,” PRP State secretary Syamsundar said.Chiru fans, though, it appears are more concerned about the 150th movie their star was planning. “Because of the transition, the project may be delayed. But, he will definitely complete his 150th film,” a party leader said and after a pause added: “It means the next movie, which according to Chiranjeevi is a commercial one with a social message, will help the Congress in the State.” Though ordinary workers of the PRP are certain to sail along with Chiranjeevi and join the Congress, it remains to be seen how many MLAs will respect his decision.

Stumble

Comments

"The bad step in your entire life time,you damaged the self respect of fans in a big way. by merging. by establishing prp you have gained 18% of votes now if you have any dare that you will get support as you had previously it's great mistake.even you cant win any where in andhra that is for sure .since you damaged our self respect (fans) and caste wise kapus are now treated as useless, because of you. and i request you never ever say that you came into politics only for people.you came to earn money that is known to every one who have seen your political career." "A last Request From your fan Dont ever fool us since we feel ashamed that we trusted you upto this time."

By Subbarao
2/8/2011 6:32:00 PM

Great môment for him to show his necesity for andra politics

By ramamurthy
2/8/2011 5:52:00 PM

"Great Mile Stone in Chiranjeevi Political Career, All the Best to Chiranjeevi SIr"

By jagan mohan reddy
2/8/2011 4:47:00 PM

"Great Mile Stone in Chiranjeevi Political Career, All the Best to Chiranjeevi SIr"

By mohan
2/8/2011 4:45:00 PM

Chiru take rest stop earning money from movies, politics, and blood banks.

By Chiru Fan
2/8/2011 2:36:00 PM

Trust him would be a lead in congress for the growth of people.

By Sathya
2/8/2011 2:34:00 PM

The decision made by chiru is right one as it may lead to make state cool till next elections.Anyhow PRP have no expections of winning and atleast he may be given a minister post to show his strength

By Azhar
2/8/2011 2:32:00 PM

I think Chiranjeevi is right in is decision in merging with congress, his ideology is social justice to people at large and as a leader he is able to define the option available to him, .In AP we dont have good dedicated leaders , we have seen chandrababu naidu when he had his own supported government in the centre he did not bother about telengana but he fostered development by bringing in IT industries and developing cities and suburbs , but today he is unable to project these as his achievements but he is propagating about telengana. TRS leader chander shekar rao he no different from Naidu . you give them power they forget you the next moment .We must choose best fool among fools thats the only politics we the people at large can do,

By robinson
2/8/2011 2:29:00 PM

The decision made by chiru is right one as it may lead to make state cool till next elections.Anyhow PRP have no expections of winning and atleast he may be given a minister post to show his strength

By Azhar
2/8/2011 2:28:00 PM

Chiranjeevi is an impotent leader.

By vijay
2/8/2011 2:25:00 PM

Finally Chiru got rid of all headaches!!! Allu Aravind spoiled his career :(

By Gautam
2/8/2011 2:23:00 PM

poor chiru

By Sankaranarayanan
2/8/2011 2:14:00 PM

Chiru doesn't suit to Politics or Praja jevitham......He is great in Movies only Another Wrong Step by Chiru....Prajala hero.....Praja Rajyam......Praja droham......Praja vanchana.....Praja joke...... He is the MEGASTAR for crores of Fans All over the South, But that doesn't mean to say that they will follow him. Its better to quit politics and Concentrate on Movies, Number of movies he can do to Increase in FANS. "Preja seva" can be done even not being in Politics.....No seva in today's Politics...If at all you want to do politics don't ever use the word for people I came to politics....

By Rakesh
2/8/2011 2:08:00 PM

poor chiru

By Sankaranarayanan
2/8/2011 1:40:00 PM

If he really wants his party to merge with Congress, then he must ensure Resiganation of all his MLAs and get them elected on Congress Ticket, otherwise it is betrayal of voters, who voted against Congress

By A A Magdum
2/8/2011 1:10:00 PM

Chiru doesn't suit to Politics or Praja jevitham......He is great in Movies only Another Wrong Step by Chiru....Prajala hero.....Praja Rajyam......Praja droham......Praja vanchana.....Praja joke...... He is the MEGASTAR for crores of Fans All over the South, But that doesn't mean to say that they will follow him. Its better to quit politics and Concentrate on Movies, Number of movies he can do to Increase in FANS. "Preja seva" can be done even not being in Politics.....No seva in today's Politics...If at all you want to do politics don't ever use the word for people I came to politics....

By Rakesh
2/8/2011 1:09:00 PM

The articles regarding Chiranjeevi joining Congress seems to be like a mid-summers night dream. The good old story was told years back. It also reminds of another parable, wherein a milk maid with a basket full of Milk, curds and other milk made items went out to sell her products in her village. While walking she dreamt of selling the whole basket and in few days she thought that she would be the richest person and dreamt of buying all the luxuries that one could imagine. As she was dreaming and walking she hadn't noticed a thorny shrub that was on the way and she put her foot on the shrub. Thud fell the basket and all her dreams vanished into thin air. Here in this story I think the woman represents the congress and the basket resembles Chiranjeevi and the thorny shrub is Jagan. So my dear congress stop day dreaming and give Telangana to us so that you may at-least garner some goodwill before the last rites are performed by the people in the next elections.

By Deccan Crusades
2/8/2011 11:58:00 AM

Hi sir may be ur point of view the decesion was right, but some of ur fans are unhappy with merging the prp into congress All the best

By raj
2/8/2011 11:51:00 AM

a good decision at the appropriate time of ap politics and the people will see development with this merger

By gvk murthy
2/8/2011 11:31:00 AM

Stage set for PRP’s merger with Congress

Express News Service
First Published : 06 Feb 2011 03:45:20 AM IST
Last Updated : 06 Feb 2011 11:01:02 AM IST

HYDERABAD: Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president K Chiranjeevi left for New Delhi this evening for his meeting with Sonia Gandhi at 11 am Sunday. He is likely to return to Hyderabad transformed as a Congress leader.

Sources said all is now set for his party's merger with the Congress.

The meeting will discuss the fine print of the merger. Chiranjeevi is likely to strike a bargain with Sonia about his and his second-rung leaders' future in the Congress after merger. Sources said the PRP is expecting four berths in the state Cabinet, one Rajya Sabha seat and some seats in the Legislative Council.

Chiranjeevi's own future and the question whether he will shift to national politics or stay in the state will be discussed.

Before leaving for Delhi, Chiranjeevi said a final decision will be taken only after Sunday's meeting. "We will have another round of meeting after the talks with Sonia," he said.

He clarified that the party's stand on Telangana has not changed. While the party supports a united Andhra Pradesh, the prospect of hits merger with the Congress has triggered murmurs of discontent among Telangana leaders in the latter party.

However, PRP leader C Ramachandraiah indicated that the PRP expects to surrender its united AP stance in the post-merger scenario. "Once the PRP merges with the Congress, the Congress stand will prevail," he said.

Chiranjeevi launched the Praja Rajyam Party on Aug. 27, 2008 in the temple city of Tirupati amid lakhs of fans. However, the party failed to carry the voters in the 2009 elections and from then on the political viability of Chiranjeevi has been steadily waning. The two-and-a-half journey of the PRP will came to an end in Delhi.

With fresh hopes, TDP set for show of strength

VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 01 Dec 2010 04:38:16 AM IST
Last Updated : 01 Dec 2010 11:23:49 AM IST

HYDERABAD: Delighted over the Congress being in disarray, the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is fancying its chances of ruling the state again.

As a show of strength, the TDP has announced a massive rally in Hyderabad in December. It intends to focus on exposing the Congress’ corruption, more precisely the 2G spectrum scam.

Simultaneously, it is preparing to take on YS Jagan Mohan Reddy showing him as the beneficiary of the ‘corrupt wealth’ of YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

At a meeting with TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu at his residence here today, party seniors came up with several ideas from among which Naidu liked the rally against Congress’ corruption.

Leaders of all friendly parties will be invited to the rally.

Though the TDP wanted to wait and watch the unfolding scenario in the Congress, at least till the developments reach a decisive stage, before coming out with an action plan, it also sees the possibility of the Congress thrusting mid-term polls on the people, and hence the need to act with some urgency.

For the moment, the TDP is waiting for the fallout of the cabinet formation tomorrow and the Jagan’s moves to launch his political party.

“Jagan is a wounded soldier and will not keep quiet. He may topple the government and the TDP is prepared to meet any eventuality,” TDP senior leader M Narasimhulu told Express after attending the meeting with Naidu.

The TDP has organisational structure and is ready to face elections any time. It was Jagan who had no structure at all, the TDP leaders pointed out.

For the record, the TDP leaders said there was little they could do with regard to the ongoing develoments in the Congress. They would mainly focus on people’s issues. “We will fight for the cause of beedi workers, junior lecturers and other issues,” TDP politburo member N Janardhan Reddy said.

However, the TDP is still in a dilemma whether to take the Congress or Jagan as its main rival. “Still the Congress is the main rival for us,” Janardhan Reddy said. The TDP leadership is of the opinion that Jagan may turn out to be another Chiranjeevi by ending up with around 30 seats.

However, the TDP will make a reassessment after Jagan comes out with his new party. “Whether it is Jagan or Congress, it is immaterial for us. We will be identified with the people,” another TDP leader said.

TDP gloats: This is 1983 revisited

Express News Service
First Published : 30 Nov 2010 03:53:52 AM IST
Last Updated :

HYDERABAD: The Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders are very happy and excited over the revolt in the State Congress. But they are not overwhelmed. “We should make our political moves more carefully now and identify ourselves with people till we reached the goal of regaining power in the state,’’ a senior TDP leader said.

A majority of TDP leaders are of the view that the Congress will be destabilised in the state in the coming days. The Congress itself will hand over power to the TDP on a golden platter like in 1983.

The only thing is that the TDP leaders should not make unnecessary comments and behave carefully and move closer to people, a senior leader from coastal Andhra said.

However, the TDP leadership is closely monitoring the developments in the ruling Congress.

This is to predict that who will be TDP’s potential rival in future - Jagan or Congress. At present, it is against both Jagan and Congress.

In his letter addressed to AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Jagan attacked TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu for becoming chief minister of the state by backstabbing his father-in-law. The TDP felt that Jagan, who is going to float a new political party, made the attack on Naidu by identifying the TDP as his main rival.

However, the TDP did not try to hide its anti-Jagan stance. “Jagan is a poisonous snake, which was offered milk by the Congress.

Now, the same snake is hissing at Congress,’’ remarked TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy. Jagan who talked of moral values in his resignation letter, should deposit his `1 lakh crore illgotten wealth with the government treasury and then speak if he is a sincere leader, dared TDP MLA Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao. The TDP is seeing potential rival in Jagan as he can pump huge money into elections. “If Jagan spent `10, Congress will spend `20 in the next elections.

Money will play a greater role and determine the outcome in next elections,” feared another TDP leader.

However, the TDP is not clear at the moment whether it has to take on Jagan’s new party or Congress.

“We will react only after Jagan launched his new party,’’ a TDP leader said.

Despite new political developments in the Congress, the TDP leadership has decided to focus on pressing people’s issues. It is mainly trying to expose the corrupt YSR regime, inefficient rule of Rosaiah and instability of Kiran Kumar Reddy’s government, which ‘hindered’ economic growth of the state.

Congress forgets Telangana bidda PV on its birthday

Express News Service
First Published : 15 Nov 2010 01:57:32 AM IST
Last Updated : 15 Nov 2010 08:55:06 AM IST

HYDERABAD: The State Congress on Sunday once again proved its detractors right.

Party leaders were full of praise for the Gandhi family, right from Nehru down to Rahul, at the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of the party here but none referred to former prime minister the late PV Narasimha Rao -- a Telangana bidda.

His photo did not find a place among those of the Congress prime ministers on the dais. AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, who delivered the inaugural address, ironically went ballistic against globalisation.

“Globalisation has caused economic recession and ruined the economies of various countries including the US.

Banks in the US collapsed and were given stimulus packages,” he said.

“If the country did not face economic recession, it is because of the ‘mixed economic policy’ of the country’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The mixed economy of Nehru is more relevant now,” he observed. It was a well known fact that it was PV Narasimha Rao who had liberalised the Indian economy and pulled it out of the rot.

No speaker, not even Chief Minister K Rosaiah, took the name of PV. All of them lavished praises on Gandhi, Nehru, Indira, Sonia and Rahul. Some of them, including Digvijay, recalled the services of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy. The speakers even left out the name of AO Hume who formed the the party 125 years ago. Said PCC chief D Srinivas, “Amma (mother Sonia), the people are with you.. do not care for the comments made by RSS leader Sudarshan.” Rosaiah claimed that whenever the Congress became weak, the country became weak and stressed the need for strengthening the Congress. The Congress cannot be compared to any other party, he said, alleging that ‘regional and sub-regional’ parties had come into existence with the sole aim of capturing power.

Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy found the RSS philosophy “poisonous” and termed Sudarshan’s remarks against Sonia “thoughtless.” The former RSS chief had alleged that Sonia was a CIA agent who plotted the assassinations of Rajiv Gandhi and Indira.

Union Minister Panabaka Lakshmi, Congress seniors including K Keshava Rao, V Hanumantha Rao, Nadendla Bhaskara Rao and KVP Ramachandra Rao were present at the function.

The celebrations will conclude on November 19.

Reverse migration causes disquiet in TD

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 03 May 2010 04:11:00 AM IST
Last Updated :

HYDERABAD: Though a large number of leaders from other parties are joining the Telugu Desam, the fear among the party leaders is ``Will this reverse migration spoil the prospects of the party in the next elections?’’ The leadership has opened the party doors to former leaders. Several leaders including T Devender Goud, Tammineni Sitaram and those PRP and TRS leaders who unsuccessfully contested the recent elections, have joined the party in the last one year.

Reverse migration of old guards into the party might help the TDP in the Telangana region where it is facing some problems. But the reentry of Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao, Kottapalli Subbarayaudu and others is likely to stir up a hornets’ nest in the party. For example, the re-entry of Kala Venkata Rao is not very palatable to senior leader K Yerran Naidu. Naidu is equally unhappy at the return of Sitaram.

Asked about his comments, Yerran Naidu said that he would abide by the party’s decision. He, however, hastened to add that Kala Venkata Rao should explain the reasons why he had left the party and why he had decided to rejoin the parent party after the elections.

Though Yerran Naidu personally dislikes the entry of some leaders, he may not suffer any political loss as he is a Lok Sabha candidate.

Problems could arise in the respective Assembly constituencies where the party appointed incharges in order to gear up the party.

``Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu has already announced that the Assembly tickets in 2014 will be given to party incharges. TDP has incharges in all the Assembly constituencies in the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. How can then the party chief accommodate the leaders who are re-entering the party now?’’ wondered a senior leader.

``At present, the TDP has no incharges for almost 70 Assembly constituencies in the Telangana region.

If any leader from these constituencies in Telangana rejoins the party, then the party will stand to gain. In contrast, the fate of Assembly segment incharges in Andhra region will hang in balance if more former leaders troop back into the party,’’ said another senior leader.

``I do not what Naidu promising the leaders who are keen to rejoin the party. If he replaces the segment incharges before elections, that will create problems. If he sticks to his word and give tickets to present incharges, then those reentering the party will damage the prospects of the party,’’ worried another leader.

There will, however, be no immediate problem to the party due to the migrations. ``We are in the opposition and those who will cross over into the TDP will share the party work as we cannot offer plum political posts as in a ruling party,’’ said Yerran Naidu.

A grassroots makeover?

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 08 May 2010 04:41:00 AM IST
Last Updated :

HYDERABAD: The death of bete noire YS Rajasekhara Reddy, has brought about a sea change in the routine of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrbabu Naidu who is into his second successive term as leader of the Opposition.

Freed from the compulsion to launch or parry diatribes, he is focusing on strengthening his party at grass-roots level. Naidu comes to NTR Bhavan daily in the morning and meets cadres, leaders and people in general to apprise himself of local problems which he directs respective district party seniors to follow up.

``The interactive programme (Ishta gosti) is a very good concept. This way the party chief keeps abreast of ground-level situations,’’ maintains TDP politburo member K Yerran Naidu.

Naidu also tries to strike a rapport with second-rung cadres by inquiring about their personal problems and financial status and giving advice when he can. And the NTR Memorial Trust provides some help to party workers with self-employment schemes. It recently conducted a counselling session for more than 1,000 cadres in this regard.

“If party workers start their own business, they can do moderately well. After a year, sincere workers can help out by contributing their mite to the party from income generated through honest means,’’ a functionary said.

The idea was mooted by Naidu whose family also runs the Heritage business involved in dairy products and pickles.

“It is rare to see second-rung leaders sitting face to face with a party chief.

Naidu has really brought about a big change,’’ says Karnataka State TDP president Venkatesappa.

The honcho is also keen to tour the districts and mingle with the people.

But given his ambiguity over the burning issue of Telangana it has to be seen how the visits are received.

Critics, however, have been quick to decry Naidu’s newfound enthusiasm for grass roots party-building as nothing but evasion of the central issue of State politics today.

One leader – Two strategies

One leader. Two strategies. Several brain storming meetings everyday. This
is the daily schedule of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) N Chandrababu Naidu, after
the Centre has decided to initiate the process of the T.
Naidu allowed his party leaders to adopt two different strategies for
Andhra and Telangana. The script writer for the both the strategies is none
other than Naidu, according to party sources.
Suffocated with the Centre's T-statement six days back, Naidu has been
holding separate meetings with Andhra and Telangana leaders.
TDP MLAs from Andhra and Rayalaseema, who announced that they would
continue the `Samaikya Andhra Pradesh' movement, in fact, met Naidu at his
residence and discussed the current political situation threadbaret with
him.
Telangana TDP MLAs, who appealed to Naidu to set up separate unit of the
party for Telangana, later met Naidu and apprised him of the situation.
Naidu's strategy was simple, to keep the party intact in both the regions
and win in the both the regions in the elections, if the state is carved
out.
``At last, Naidu come with an intelligent idea of starting party T-wing. He
also gave his nod to Andhra and Rayalaseema regions to go ahead with their
agitation to muster support for the party there. This is to keep alive the
party in both the regions,'' a party senior pleading anonymity told Express.
Naidu's strategy has a strong reason. Immediately after the Centre decided
to initiate the T-process, Vemulawada and Karimnagar MLAs resigned for the
party. If Naidu did not take any decision, there would be a possibility of
all the T-MLAs revolting against Naidu challenging his leadership. It will
done much damage to the party, which has already suffered a jolt from
Congress. Then, Naidu consulted senior Telangana leaders and worked out the
strategy and came out with idea of separate units for the party.
It means, NTR Bhavan itself will sponsor the agitations in both the
regions, though covertly, and see that dissidence will be nipped in the bud
in T region.
It may be noted that except the couple of MLAs who revolted against Naidu,
today no leader spoke harsh against the party president, after his nod for
separate party units.
Naidu told media persons that all the parties split vertically becasue of
the Congress' midnight announcement. ``We have no clues how to wriggle out
of the crisis,'' Naidu admitted.
It remains to be seen whether Naidu's latest `separatist' strategy will be
worked out perfercly or boomrang on the party.

TD prefers ‘old’ Rosaiah to young Jagan as CM

Chief Minister K Rosaiah and Leader of the Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu share a light moment at the launch of a Telugu TV channel in Hyderabad on Th
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 16 Oct 2009 05:16:00 AM IST
Last Updated :

HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam appears to prefer the septuagenarian Rosaiah as cheif minister to YS Rajsekhara Reddy’s son and young MP from Kadapa Jagan Mohan Reddy.

The reason is not hard to guess. The principal Opposition party believes that it will be better placed to fight the Congress whenever elections are held if Rosaiah is at the helm in the State.

According to TDP sources, for the second time in its 27-year history, the party has decided to adopt a soft stand on a Congress leader in power. When PV Narasimha Rao was the prime minister, the TDP had adopted a soft stand and even did not field its candidate against PV when he contested for the Nandyal Lok Sabha seat.

Even after PV’s death, the TDP demanded that a memorial to him be built in the national capital.

After a long gap, the TDP is being soft on Rosaiah who occupied the chief minister’s chair after the sudden demise of YS Rajasekhara Reddy. Its leaders, including N Chandrababu Naidu, have not so far made any adverse comments against Rosaiah. In fact, Naidu rang up Rosaiah several times during the floods that ravaged five districts.

The TDP leaders only blamed Rosaiah’s colleagues in the Cabinet who are reportedly not cooperating with Rosaiah and insisting that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy be allowed to become chief minister.

The TDP leadership does not want to taste defeat for the third time in a row as and when elections are held. If Jagan Mohan Reddy becomes chief minister, it would be a dicey game as Jagan, being young, might take bold decisions and quickly gain acceptance of the people.

Even as there were widespread protests from flood-victims that Rosaiah failed to effectively manage the flood situation, Chandrababu Naidu did not utter any word against Rosaiah.

Naidu only said that who worked well and who did not did not matter now, as the focus should be on providing flood relief.

At the same time, the TDP is not allowing the Rosaiah Government a free run. It is trying to woo people with service. It distributed flood relief material to around 30,000 families in Kurnool today. The message is clear that Congress Government, if not Chief Minister Rosaiah, failed to provide succour to the flood victims and the TDP is always with the people whether in power or out of it.

According to sources, the TDP is eagerly waiting for the Congress Legislature Party to endorse Rosaiah as the chief minister.


Comments

if the congress delay the desicion on AP CM, that would go as advantage to the TDP. YSR ONLY CONGRESS HERE IN ANDHRA PRADESH - that is the true story all about AP.
By uma
10/22/2009 12:48:00 PM

If JAGAN is not made CM, i will never vote for CONGRESS again, opposition was silent all these days bcz they know that people want JAGAN, No C BABU wants to ignite it....... i voted YSR not congress, i really dont know congress, it was YSR's image, sonia gandhi evaruh she did nothing to our state
By naik
10/20/2009 2:39:00 AM

if congress want to countinue his leadership in andhra pradesh....its possbile with only YS JANGAN MOHAN REDDY a young dinamic leader.peoples of andhra pradesh wants to see him as CM..why sonia gandhi not declaring him as a CM..through YSR ONLY CONGRESS HERE IN ANDHRA PRADESH sonia gandhi must remember it..i cnt wait more...if sonia gandhi has not taken any step ...with me 600 peoples from my village are ready to jon TDP.
By syed niyaz hussain
10/17/2009 1:02:00 AM

lLet God save the Congress.Sonia Gandhi should know what is right & what is wrong for the party. She should also understand the game plan of the opposition paarty leader.Because,politics is not a game of Cricket but a game of Chess, now a days.
By ATUL SHAH
10/16/2009 4:58:00 PM

You don't have to work as a rocket scientist at Sriharikota to understand that TDP wants Rosaiah as Andhra CM. Rosaiah could not even contest in direct elections in the latest assembly elections due to his health demands. YSR with a big heart made a place for him in the cabinet through MLC. Rosaiah is an able administrator, but that is not enough in our politics today. People want to see a charismatic person at the helms of any party in our flashy world today. TDP definitely do not want to see Jagan as CM, who would accumulate votes of people based on being young and being the son of late YSR, grabbing the sympathy vote. Let High Command continue Rosaiah as Andhra CM. It will soon lose the only Congress ruled state in the South. All the best Sonia!
By Paul

Supreme Court order can’t be generalised: TDP

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 19 Oct 2009 05:26:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 19 Oct 2009 08:59:19 AM IST

HYDERABAD: The main Opposition party, Telugu Desam, is opposing the Supreme Court’s order on Hyderabad `free zone’ for implementation of GO 610 for police department. It feels that the SC order serves only a limited purpose and it cannot be generalised.

``Any decision against the Six-Point Formula or Presidential Order is not acceptable to TDP,’’ a TDP leader from Telangana told Express here Sunday.

The party studied the SC order and opined that there was no word `free zone’ in the order. The order was limited to only two groups of employees in the police department.

The court order was based on a technical point that Hyderabad city police were not covered under Zone VI in the Presidential Order.

``The TDP sticks to the Six-Point Formula, the Presidential Order and the GO 610. Any deviation or judgment against these three is not acceptable to the TDP,’’ a Politburo member of the party said.

The same opinion would be expressed by the party at the all-party meeting to be convened by the government Monday. Party leaders Nagam Janardhan Reddy, MV Mysoora Reddy and Yanamala Ramakrishnudu will attend the all-party meeting.

The party leaders felt that there was no word `Hyderabad as free zone’ in the Supreme Ccourt order. Such word was never found in GO 610, the Presidential Order or in the Six-Point Formula, they said.

The `free zone’ issue never came up, a party leader said and felt that no one can imagine Telangana state without Hyderbad.

TDP leaders are livid with TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao for making an issue out of nothing. He had no issue on hand and was therefore using Hyderabad free zone issue to derive political mileage, a TDP leader alleged.

``Everyone should understand that the SC order was limited to a particular department and it never stated that Hyderabad was a free zone,’’ a TDP leader asserted after going through the SC order. For all other purposes Hyderabad was a part of Zone VI, he added.

vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

Reddy loyalists pitch for his son as successor

Reddy loyalists pitch for his son as successor
V V BalakrishnaFirst Published : 04 Sep 2009 12:46:00 AM ISTLast Updated :
HYDERABAD: Even before the tragic news of the death of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had sunk in, hectic parleys began in the Congress on who should succeed him.
Though Finance Minister K Rosaiah, the senior most in the Cabinet, was sworn in on Thursday evening as the caretaker chief minister, Rosaiah made it clear that this arrangement was ‘‘interim in nature’’ and he would hold the responsibility only till the Congress high command picked Reddy’s successor.
As if to block the chances of anyone else being considered, a significant number of Congress legislators, including some ministers, issued public statements stating that Rajasekhara Reddy’s son, Jaganmohan Reddy, should be the natural choice for the post. ‘‘The party needs a young leader to take it forward at this critical juncture. Jagan is the right choice,’’ Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy declared.
Jaganmohan was elected to the Parliament from Kadapa for the first time this year. However, his candidature may not be automatically accepted by a section of the Congress legislators who do not sail with him for a variety of reasons.
The other possible contender for the CM’s post could be Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy. The Congress has just about enough majority in the Assembly — 156 as against the required minimum strength of 147.

Divided Oppn keeps YSR Govt smiling

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 13 Jul 2009 09:52:02 AM IST
Last Updated :

HYDERABAD: Though the Budget session of the State Legislative Assembly, scheduled to commence later this month, may be crucial, the ruling Congress is not very much worried. The reason? The divided Opposition.

The Congress won only 155 seats in the election and YS Rajasekhara Reddy formed the government for the second time. This is the first-ever government with such a simple majority in the Assembly.

In contrast, there were six major Opposition parties having a record number of 126 members in the House. This is also the first time the ruling party is facing such a strong Opposition.

The strong Opposition is divided and is brawling among themselves.

First, it was the Telugu Desam party (TDP) which blamed the Praja Rajyam party (PRP) and the Lok Satta Party (LSP) for its poll debacle. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the other Opposition parties, instead of supporting the main Opposition party, were aiding the ruling Congress.

PRP president Chiranjeevi retorted by alleging that Naidu was not behaving like a responsible Opposition leader. He not only said that Naidu had failed to coordinate with other Opposition parties but also went a step ahead doubting the `mental balance’ of Naidu.

On the other, the LSP too strongly reacted to TDP’s allegations on party funds.

The LSP challenged the TDP to a debate on the party funds. The TDP alleged that the LSP had taken money from the Congress and helped it to defeat the TDP in the recent elections.

The two Left parties too are not hiding their `mutual hate’. The Left parties are accusing each other for the poor show in the elections. CPI State secretary K Narayana wondered whether CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu had the `brain’ at all. Retorting to this, Raghavulu said: ``People will judge who has the brain and who has not.’’ The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has barely overcome the crisis of recent internal squabbles. But it too has pointed fingers at the TDP for the poll debacle.

The PRP and TDP too are facing internal problems. Several leaders are quitting the PRP. The TDP faced problems from Kovur MLA N Prasannakumar Reddy and Talasani Srinivasa Yadav.

As the floor coordination among the Opposition parties is doubtful, the ruling Congress has an advantage of the support from the seven-member MIM, which could also help the party in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections.

YSR aims to storm Babu’s citadel

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 02 Sep 2009 03:19:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 02 Sep 2009 09:32:21 AM IST

HYDERABAD: Target Chittoor. The Congress is moving pawns to hoist its flag, the `tricolour’, on the `yellow fort’. Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy is targeting Chittoor district, which is considered to be the fiefdom of Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu.

Reddy vowed to send more number of Lok Sabha members to Delhi from the State to enable the Congress get absolute majority in the Lok Sabha in 2014.

He is also working on a strategy to ensure a huge majority for the Congress in the State Assembly in the next election. Towards this end, he has been concentrating on Chittoor, the home district of the TDP chief.

The chief minister has a two-pronged strategy to decimate the TDP in the district. First, he is focusing on development of the district. Recently he has secured two projects, a turbines and boilers manufacturing unit at Mannavaram and an international airport at Tirupati. Even TDP MLAs from Chittoor district complimented the chief minister for securing the sanction of the two big projects for the backward district. Second, he is making political moves. Several TDP leaders are being lured into the Congress.

In a major catch, he netted Telugu Mahila president RK Roja for the party.

According to sources, the Congress is also targeting other leaders.

Though Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy met the chief minister to congratulate him on bringing two big projects to the district, rumours are rife that he may join the Congress, his stout denials notwithstanding. The TDP, which was routed in coastal Andhra in the Assembly election, managed to win six of the 14 Assembly seats from Chittoor district.

It is a force to reckon with in the district and the Congress is trying hard to minimise its rival’s influence in the district.

The Congress was power in the State only for ten years during the 27-year period since the founding of the TDP in 1982.

“As we were in the Opposition for a long time, we did not focus our attention on Chittoor district. Nor in the past five years during my stint as chief minister,’’ admits Reddy.

The Congress tried to reduce the margin of the TDP chief ’s victory in Kuppam in the recent election and succeeded to some extent. ``With the support base in Kuppam the TDP was able to win the Chittoor Lok Sabha seat. had its majority in Kuppam been reduced, the Congress would have won the Chittoor Lok Sabha seat,’’ Reddy told reporters recently.

Sensing his bete noire’s game-plan, Naidu had alleged prior to the elections that the Congress was replicating Pulivendula-mark politics in Kuppam.

The visibly shaken former chief minister campaigned for the first time for himself in his constituency.

Till then he had never campaigned in the four successive elections he fought in Kuppam. Taking no chances, he even marshalled the film glamour of Balakrishna and the charm of his young son Lokesh to tilt the scales in his favour