Dissidence still haunts TDP

Nellore: Ruling TDP contestants are still facing heat from the dissident leaders and second line cadre at some places in the district. The situation is prevalent in Kovur, Kavali, Venkatagiri and Sullurpet constituencies where rival groups in the party are not cooperating with the candidates. Kavali is an important place where the party senior leader Beeda Mastan Rao aspired to contest and he had done his groundwork also.

But, suddenly, due to subsequent developments, party high command asked him to contest for Nellore Lok Sabha constituency and picked newly joined leader Katamreddy Vishnuvardhan Reddy for Kavali assembly segment.

In fact, there was old animosity between Beeda and Katamreddy groups as they belong to same region in erstwhile Allur constituency and finally they were united in connection with the ensuing polls. Mastan Rao also asked his cadre to support Vishnu at Kavali and still there is a difficulty with second line leaders, who oppose to work with Vishnu group which turned out to be a major difficulty.

In Kovur too, senior leader Pellakuru Srinivasulu Reddy expected ticket and finally party gave green signal for sitting MLA Polamreddy Srinivasulu Reddy offering MLC position to Pellakuru.

Though it seems the situation has been reconciled, internal rivalries between the two groups are still continuing which may impact winning chances of the party candidate, analysts say. In Sullurpet, the local senior leaders are extending support to the party candidate and former Minister Dr Parasa Ratnam and very few leaders attended the Chief Minister's recent campaign. Still, senior leaders, who are opposing candidature of Ratnam are not actively involving in electioneering.

"These trends of non-cooperation would give chance to opposition YSRCP to get votes. This has to be addressed by the party immediately for resolving the issues. Otherwise, there would be problem," lamented a senior leader from the TDP.

Venkatagiri is not an exception. Sitting MLA K Ramakrishna is bit aggressive and party leaders openly criticize his attitude. Now, at the time of polls, this trend disheartening the party leaders where they are playing inactive role in campaign.