Amid discontent, scene shifts to Hyderabad

Warangal: In the wake of growing discontent over the candidature of Thatikonda Rajaiah, who was retained to contest from Station Ghanpur Assembly constituency, reaching a flashpoint, it’s now apparent that the TRS leadership has decided to step in and douse the flames. It may be noted here that there has been a lot of dissidence to fore from a section of party workers ever since the TRS leadership had announced Rajaiah’s candidature.

Against this backdrop, all the dissident voices have been told to attend a meeting in Hyderabad on Monday. It’s learnt that Municipal Administration & Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao is entrusted with the responsibility of talking to them and ensure rapprochement among the leaders and cadres.

The development comes in the wake of a lot of speculation surrounding the Station Ghanpur seat. For the last few days, rumour mills have been working overtime that Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari is unhappy with the party leadership for not nominating him for Station Ghanpur seat and he is likely to join the Congress.

Meanwhile, a host of mandal-level leaders and party workers, who met the Deputy CM on Monday, urged him to contest independently. However, Srihari asked them to oblige KCR’s word, sources said.

Dispelling the speculation, Kadiyam Srihari said: “Whatever going viral on social media is trash and there is not even an iota of truth in it. No one in right mind would predict that I am supposed to join the Congress. Since I got voting right in 1970, I never ever franchised my vote in favour of Congress and it remains so forever.”

If Telugu Desam Party had gave me political life, it’s KCR, who elevated me to the next level by making me the Deputy Chief Minister, he said, admitting that he was under pressure from his supporters to contest from Station Ghanpur. He said that KCR’s word is final. “Don’t believe gossips,” Srihari said, playing down the speculation that he will be in the fray as an independent.

Referring to the dissidence in several constituencies including Station Ghanpur, he hoped that dust would settle once the election notification is issued. “Everyone will fall in line,” he asserted.

Responding to a question, he said that if Konda couple has that much sway over six constituencies as claimed by them, Surekha should contest from Warangal East seat and prove her mettle instead of moving to Parkal seat.

Referring to the Maha Kutami (Grand Alliance), Srihari said: “I believe it won’t last long. How would Prof Kodandaram, who termed TDP as Telangana Drohula Party, join hands with it to form alliance? The Congress, which is responsible for hundreds of students’ suicide during separate statehood movement, is leading the Maha Kutami. People will not believe this alliance.” When asked about any ultimate ambitions, Srihari said: “I embraced whatever came in my way and never went after them.”