Discontent over playing second fiddle: TRS leaders

Warangal: It’s not dissent that is brewing among TRS leaders but the frustration of playing second fiddle to someone, who joined much later than they held the party flag in the Telangana Movement and enjoying positions in the government after the formation of new State.

They spent better part of their youthful years for the cause of separate Telangana. They were known as trusted lieutenants of TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao up until the newest State was born. Yet they find themselves in wilderness with the party turning a blind eye to accommodate them in the government or in party posts. 

With the TRS leadership yet to announce candidate for Warangal East constituency, a host of core Telangana activists pressed their demand before the TRS leadership to lay its focus on those party workers, who worked hard in Telangana Movement, braving the odds.

Each of them has a story to tell about their participation in the statehood movement and commitment towards achieving the ultimate goal of separate Telangana. They said that life had come full circle to them as they neither command a position nor respect in the party. These leaders still appeared optimistic when they spoke to The Hans India, vouching their support to senior TRS leader Gudimalla Ravi Kumar with whom they fought for separate Telangana.

Pasupuleti Vishnuvardhan Reddy of Narsampet said, “We braved police lathis and faced court cases during the Telangana Movement, and after four-and-a-half-year what we got is nil while those who mocked us are now reaping the harvest of separate State. 

It’s hard to digest for someone like me, who has been with the TRS since its inception. In those days, KCR used to hail the activists like me. Now, it’s nothing but impossible to access him. I plead the leadership to give importance to those real activists like Gudimalla Ravi Kumar, who is seeking Warangal East seat.”  

Mulagundla Rammohan Reddy, a folk singer from Wardhannapet, who enthused the cadres during the movement, said: “At the beginning of statehood agitation, there was not much support for the TRS. A top Telugu Desam leader even spat on a TRS activist in Wardhannapet for holding TRS flag.”

Taragala Prasad of Parkal said that only a few young turks stood firm for separate State. “Those were the days even we struggled to mobilise the party cadres in some areas like Geesukonda mandal, especially Vanchanagiri. Even in adverse conditions, party workers like me supported the TRS.”

Advocate Neela Sridhar Rao says, “When there is an opportunity why not the leadership gives tickets to real Telangana activists. Those who joined the TRS midway like Konda Surekha enjoyed the posts and deserted the party but real workers like me remained with the party.”

Another leader B Kumar of Parkal, who has been with the party since 2001, demanded the TRS leadership to give importance to the real workers like Gudimalla Ravi Kumar or any other who sincerely worked for the party.
Senior leader and advocate Gudimalla Ravi Kumar, who has been aspiring for Warangal East ticket, said: “If TRS is a seed planted by KCR, it’s now grown into enormous proportions bearing fruits of Statehood. Leaders, who migrated from other parties, were plucking its fruits. 

It’s now time for the leadership to think about the real party workers, who lost their fruitful years in the separate State agitation. A host of party workers, who pinned their hopes on posts and recognition, are waiting in the wings to savour their due in the governance.”

There is a growing discontent among the cadres, who have been with the party since its inception, questioning themselves how long they have to play second fiddle to those leaders, who joined the TRS much later then themselves. “Seeking our due is not revolting. We are very part of TRS soul,” Gudimalla said.