Ganta, followers likely to join TDP

Visakhapatnam: Minister for Investment, Infrastructure and Ports Ganta Srinivasa Rao is likely to join shortly the Telugu Desam, along with his erstwhile Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) colleagues.

A shrewd politician, Ganta emerged a strong man for the Congress when the bifurcation decision was taken by the Centre. It somewhat upset him, as he is only aware that the Congress cannot survive in Seemandhra after its ’suicidal’ move. For the past few weeks, the Minister did not show any signs of quitting the ruling party; nor gave a thought to it, as he was busy with a marriage in the family. He was invited repeatedly by TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu when he was in the PRP.

Though Ganta started his political career with the TDP, he did not want to go back as it was ‘weak’ in the district, as also as in the State. After the PRP-Congress merger, he became a minister. Since then he has been calling the shots in the ruling party. However, the situation now is such that he has to leave the Congress for political future. Since there is no invitation from the YSRCP, where his adversary former Minister Konatala Ramakrishna is playing the lead role, Ganta decided to return to the TDP along with his followers. They include Bheemunipatnam MLA Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, Gajuwaka legislator Chintalapudi Venkataramaiah and Pendurthi MLA Panchakarla Ramesh Babu.

There are strong indications to this, as already his rival in Rural Visakhapatnam and former Minister Chintakayala Ayyanna Partrudu has opposed his proposed return to the TDP, as it would be detrimental to his political interests. He is the senior-most TDP leader in the district.

However, Ganta’s relations with the TDP president are more than cordial. It will be a big boost for the party, as he is also a successful businessman rolling in money.

His decision to re-join the TDP is also prompted by the Congress debacle upcountry and with strong rumours of a TDP-BJP electoral pact.