Dissidence may make it tough for Somireddy

Nellore: Loyalty to the party besides aggressive style of functioning appeared to have worked in favour Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy in getting a berth in the Cabinet. According to analysts, TDP planned to fill a sort of vacuum in the party caused by the soft-natured minister P Narayana, who has been facing criticism that party leaders and cadre that he was not approachable to them.

Highlights:

• TDP favoured the senior leader as it needs an aggressive leader from Reddy community to take on equally influential YSRCP leaders in the district
• Somireddy has to deal with Adala and Anam groups who are sulking for various reasons
• The minister has also to placate Beeda Ravi Chandra, who is upset over denial of berth in Cabinet

Somireddy, being an MLC, played a crucial role in the recent polls along with minister Narayana and received a praise from the party high command for his services. He has been waiting for a berth in the Cabinet since the party came to power in 2014 and now his dreams have been realised.

According to sources, he will have a tough time in meeting the expectations of the party in view of the strength of YSR Congress in the district. The opposition party has six MLAs, one MP, and the ZP chairman. On the other hand, TDP has four MLAs, who include a defected YSRC MLA, and four MLCs, Narayana, Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, party district president Beeda Ravi Chandra and Vakati Narayana Reddy.

But, the TDP had won MLC seat under local authorities’ constituency by not-so-straight means pointing to the lack of adequate coordination and aggressiveness to counter the opposition.As majority leaders in the YSRCP, including MP and four MLAs are from Reddy community, the TDP wants to give priority to the community to take on the opposition by roping in a Reddy into the Cabinet.

“Party had also taken into consideration the scathing attack of Somireddy against YSR Congress leaders after he was accused of amassing illegal assets. It was assumed that he can also tackle both internal rivalries as well as dealing with the opposition aggressively. However, he is unlikely to avoid dissidence in the district as some leaders have not attended his oath taking ceremony, which indicates things to come,” said a senior TDP leader of the district.

It may be noted that former minister Adala Prabhakar Reddy’s followers have not attended the swearing-in ceremony even though he is close to minister Narayana.Anam group remained silent on the induction of Somireddy into the Cabinet since it could not land MLC seat. Sources said Anam Ramanarayana Reddy had expected MLC post under Governor quota.

But soon after dispute had arisen between Adinarayana Reddy and Rama Subba Reddy of Kadapa over minister post, Somireddy reportedly intervened and suggested to Rama Subba Reddy to opt for MLC post under Governor quota, thus affecting the chances of Anam group.

Now, party district president Beeda Ravi Chandra has to be placated with suitable position as he was also in the race for Cabinet post he belongs to BC community and P Narayana also reportedly supported him.“These issues have to be well-addressed by Somireddy, otherwise it would be a crown of thorns for him to douse internal dissidence. But let’s hope for the best as he is a senior leader in the party as well as in politics,” said a party leader.