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Followers shocked at Bojjala’s ouster
Dropping of Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy from the state cabinet came as a shock to most of the people in his constituency Srikalahasti. Bojjala was a senior minister and also one of the few who stood with CM
Tirupati: Dropping of Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy from the state cabinet came as a shock to most of the people in his constituency Srikalahasti. Bojjala was a senior minister and also one of the few who stood with CM Naidu like bedrock in rain or shine, since he joined TDP thirty years ago. Though rumours were making rounds that Bojjala may be shown the door, many could not believe it keeping in the mind his loyalties to the party and the CM. Reddy, a trusted lieutenant of CM, stood with him along his more than thirty year long stint in TDP particularly when Naidu was facing crisis.
He was with Naidu, when he revolted against party founder NT Rama Rao and was one who helped him to overcome the formidable challenge from NTR. After Hotel Viceroy episode, Bojjala stood behind Babu while the later was stabilizing his position as Chief Minister. Again, he was with Naidu when he was targeted by Maoists who triggered claymore mine and bombs at Alipiri in 2003 and they both survived luckily. Against this backdrop, his removal came as a rude shock to not only him, but also to his followers in the constituency where many of the loyalists resigned from their posts in party and in government in protest against the Chief Minister’s decision.
It was learnt that the CM has explained the limitations by which he could not continue him as minister. The sulking Bojjala reached Hyderabad on Saturday and skipped the Cabinet meeting. On Sunday morning, he surprised everyone by tendering his resignation as MLA and sent the copies to both the Speaker and the Chief Minister ending his three decades of long political journey.
Later, Chandrababu tried to persuade him over phone, and sent his special emissaries to Hyderabad to console him, sources said. Bojjala was said to be non-controversial and soft spoken. He was in good esteem of the party cadre in the district. In the recent past he was not so active because of his ill health.
This was said to be one reason for being dropped from the cabinet. It was also learnt that, the party high command is unhappy with his son’s involvement in the Constituency both in the party and in the official works. Several angry followers of the former Minister, announced their resignations including Sri Kalahasti Devasthanam Trust Board members except the chairman P Guravaiah Naidu. However, none of them have put their papers so far.
The cadre from Tottambedu mandal which is the TDP’s stronghold in the constituency expressed their dissatisfaction and some leaders announced their resignations. These include, Tottmbedu TDP president Murali Naidu, MPP Polamma and ZPTC Anusuyamma; Kalahasti Municipal Vice Chairman Partha Sarthy, Kapugunneri single window chairman Ravindranath Reddy and others.
K Nethaji
