Vijayawada: TDP grapples with unrest, groupism

Vijayawada: Big changes are expected in the politics Vijayawada, which is seen as political capital of state, in the coming few days. After the poll debacle, TDP is grappling with defections and unrest as some leaders look for greener pastures.

Amid rumours that he was leaving the party to join ruling YSRCP, Telugu Yuvata president Devineni Avinash met TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu to request him to appoint him as in-charge for Vijayawada East or Penamaluru constituency instead of Gudiwada. Besides, former MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao sending ample signals in his social media accounts that he is deserting the party for YSRCP.

Meanwhile, former MLA Vangaveeti Radhakrishna is said to be ready to take responsibilities as in-charge of TDP Vijayawada Central constituency if Bonda leaves the party.

According to sources, Devineni Avinash, son of the former minister late Devineni Rajasekhar (Nehru), is sore over the attitude of party leadership, especially TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh. It is learnt that he even complained to party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Lokesh's alleged ill-treatment of him citing some incidents.

Already MP Kesineni Srinivas alias Nani has also expressed displeasure over party functionaries. He openly criticised the party leadership for giving preference to Urban TDP president Buddha Venkanna, accusing party leadership of giving all posts to him neglecting seniors.

Avinash too said to have raised the same point with the leadership and questioned the attitude of Lokesh in insulting others by giving utmost priority to Buddha Venkanna. In this backdrop, he proposed to the party leadership to appoint him as in-charge for Vijayawada East or Penamaluru. Already, the YSRCP offered him the party in-charge post for Vijayawada East constituency but TDP chief Naidu persuaded him, at least for the time being, don't be hasty in leaving the party.

In case of Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, all indications are that he would soon jump the ship. Presently he is in-charge of the Vijayawada Central constituency and was defeated in recent election with a slim margin. It is rumoured that he is likely to be made East constituency in-charge for YSRCP. He posted a bungee jumping picture in his Facebook adding a comment as "next political move as like his bungee jumping". But sources say some of his family members are trying to convince to him to change his plans.

Vangaveeti Radhakrishna recently met Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan but he did not announce any intention to join the party. Sources say he is interested to take the responsibility of Vijayawada Central constituency TDP in-charge if Bonda Umamaheswara Rao exits.