TDP supremo gives direction to party cadre in Madanapalle

Tirupati: Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Supremo N Chandrababu Naidu has warned the party leaders in Madanapalle over their indifferences, which have become as a thorn in flesh for the party in one of the key constituencies.

He had a meeting with party leaders and cadre at a Kalyana Mandapam in Madanapalle on Thursday late night on the sidelines of his visit to the town to participate in Nava Nirmana Deeksha. “I have detailed information on what each one of you doing here. Do not play dramas. I won’t tolerate groups within the party,” Chandrababu has reportedly told cadre in the meeting.

It may be recalled that there are two groups in Madanapalle constituency with former MLA Dommalapati Ramesh and Gangarapau Ramdas Chowdary have been leading them.

They have been doing every party programme separately and never come together. Even, the recent Mini Mahanadu was also organised twice. Both groups have organised Dharma Porata Deeksha rallies separately.

Neutral party cadre was in a dilemma on which instructions they should follow. It was learnt that the party observer G Narasimha Yadav, who attended the party Mini Mahanadu at Madanapalle was helpless and gave a report to high command on the prevailing situation.

TDP won the Assembly seat in 1985, 1994, 1999 and 2004 but lost the seat to Congress in 2009 and YSRCP in 2014 elections. In 2004, TDP candidate Dommalapati Ramesh had defeated independent candidate G Ramdas Chowdary by 5,000 votes but lost the election in 2009 to Congress candidate M Shajahan Basha by more than 10,000 votes.

In 2014, as part of seats adjustment, BJP had contested from Madanapalle and lost to YSRCP candidate Dr Desai Thippa Reddy by over 16,000 votes. The two rivals in 2004 elections— Ramesh and Ramdas Chowdary—have been continuing their feud since then. In the absence of party constituency in-charge which the party high command did not announce so far, the two leaders who were aspirants of party tickets in 2019 elections have been planning their own programmes leaving a confusion among the cadre.

It was in this backdrop, Naidu met with the leaders during his stay in Madanapalle on Thursday night and told them clearly that they should walk together and there was no other go. “You all should fight unitedly and see that party candidate should win here. I cannot give ticket to every leader.

After weighing various aspects on the winning prospects, ticket will be allocated, and other leaders should work with that candidate,” he clarified. He assured them that every leader would be given due importance and would be accommodated in other suitable way. “There are Corporation posts and others.

I know how to accommodate those who work sincerely for the party candidate and I will give them a chance,” Naidu asserted. He added that the constituency was a strong hold for the party and there is every need to win from here next time. Soon, party will announce the in-charge for the segment and entire cadre should work with him, he said.

Earlier, during a review meeting at Sub-Collector’s office, the Chief Minister directed the Irrigation officials to complete Kuppam branch canal by this month end under any circumstances. He also reviewed the ongoing road works and other irrigation works and instructed the officials to speed up them.