Brother’s entry into TDP sparks questions on Kiran

Tirupati: Once it became certain that Nallari Kishore Kumar Reddy is going to join the ruling TDP next week, the question that immediately cropped up in political circles what is the political direction of his elder brother and former chief minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy.

It may be recalled that on several occasions, Kishore had said that he would take a final call on joining any party after getting permission from his brother only. However, followers of Kiran Kumar Reddy say that he has not given his nod to Kishore to join TDP.

Instead, it was learnt that the former CM has asked his brother to wait for some more time as it is too early to take a step. A follower of Kiran, on condition of anonymity, said that the brothers discussed the issue for several times. Kishore’s argument was that already it was delayed and this gap should not be continued for long as the cadre would scatter if a quick decision is not taken.

He also said that Kiran would definitely go back to the Congress fold. “Rahul Gandhi had a discussion with him on the future course of action. They expect TDP will have a tough time in allotment tickets in 2019 elections. The party cannot accommodate all the aspirants. The disappointed leaders may definitely look for a viable alternative. Naturally, their choice would be Congress party as they cannot believe YSRCP,” he said.

Interestingly, Kiran Kumar Reddy’s supporters see a crucial role for their leader in Congress in the run up to the next elections. Disapproving his younger brother’s decision to join TDP, they feel that Kiran would be embarrassed to campaign in Piler Assembly seat against his own brother. Only to avoid this, Kiran is reported to have urged Kishore wait for some more time.

When Kiran was the Chief Minister, Kishore took up the responsibility of the constituency and looked after the developmental works. Kiran has spent Rs 2,000 crores on various works in the constituency. Kishore was available to the people and party cadre on behalf of his brother. Nallari family is a reputed political family in the district. Kiran’s father Amarnath Reddy, a former state minister, won the first election in 1962.

Since then their family members Amarnath Reddy, his wife, Kiran and Kishore have contested 13 general elections without a break and won eight times. After Kiran floated a new party Jai Samaikyandhra in 2014, Kishore contested as its candidate in Piler and secured about 57,000 votes. Though he lost the election to YSRCP candidate, he could push the TDP candidate to third place.

Meanwhile, TDP fielded a Muslim candidate from the seat as they have a huge number of votes there. The party was looking towards a potential candidate from Reddy community to give a tough fight there and zeroed in on Kishore Kumar Reddy.

But a leader, said to be very close to Kiran Kumar Reddy, opined that if Kiran joins Congress and campaigns for its candidate in Piler, the votes will be divided between the two (TDP and Congress) benefiting the third party. “It will be an awkward situation for Kiran,” he felt.

Rayalaseema Porata Samithi convener P Naveen Kumar Reddy, who contested as Jai Samaikyandhra Party candidate in Tirupati in 2014, made it clear that he would go along with Kiran Kumar Reddy. “Whatever decision he takes, we will just abide by it,” he told The Hans India. On the other hand, Kishore is preparing to join TDP with as many sarpanches and other leaders as possible to try his luck in his new political home.

By V Pradeep Kumar