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BJP fumes at the ruling party for backstabbing
The Kakinada Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections have turned out to be another irritant in the uneasy relations between the TDP and the BJP, which are part of the ruling alliance in the state.
Visakhapatnam: The Kakinada Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections have turned out to be another irritant in the uneasy relations between the TDP and the BJP, which are part of the ruling alliance in the state.
Highlights:
- BJP floor leader in Assembly Vishnu Kumar Raju alleges that MLA Kondababu encouraging rebels in the seats allotted to them
- Predicts the episode will have a serious impact on future relations between the two alliance partners in the run up to 2019 polls
According to BJP leaders, who are fuming at the TDP for allegedly reneging on its promise on the number of seats to be given to it in KMC polls, the “backstabbing” will not only have its impact on the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) elections but also on the future relationship between the two parties, most importantly the general elections in 2019.
An understanding between the two parties was reached in the presence of finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, TDP state president and minister K Kala Venkata Rao, home minister N Chinarajappa and MLA Vanamali Venkateswara Rao on sharing of the seats in KMC. BJP floor leader in Assembly P Vishnu Kumar Raju (party’s in-charge for elections) and minister for endowments P Manikyala Rao represented BJP.
Of the 48 corporation divisions, it was agreed nine seats would be allotted to BJP and the TDP would contest the remaining seats.
But, to the surprise of both the parties TDP leaders filed nominations in all the nine seats allotted to BJP. Despite efforts by the ruling party, only one withdrew his candidature while the remaining eight are contesting as Independents earmarked for BJP.
“We came to know that TDP MLA Venkateswara Rao (Kondababu) encouraged the eight candidates to contest for which he assured that the party would support them. We asked our party members to file papers in 23 places where the party was strong and had winning chances. All but nine candidates withdrew their nomination after we reached an understanding with the TDP,’’ said Vishnu Kumar Raju.
Talking to this correspondent here on Friday, Vishnu Kumar Raju said they never expected that the TDP leaders would go back on their word and an understanding agreed upon for this elections. He said that he had spoken to Kala Venkata Rao, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and other senior leaders on the issue but he never got a concrete assurance from them.
The violation of a pact for Kakinada corporation elections will have a serious impact on the alliance, he said.“We will have to devise new strategies if elections were to be held for GVMC elections,” Raju said adding that he would take up the issue in a one-to-one meeting with BJP national president Amit Shah who would be visiting Andhra Pradesh towards end of this month. Raju said he would visit Kakinada on Saturday to assess the present situation.
