Three swords in one scabbard

Senior Telugu Desam leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao’s defection to the ruling TRS hasn’t thrown up any big surprises as people in this part of the region are well aware about this impending development for over a year now.

However, what could be of immediate significance is on how the TRS leadership will cope with a situation where in three bigwigs – Kadiyam Srihari, Konda Muralidhar Rao and Errabelli – belong to the same district.

In a way, by joining the TRS, Errabelli may have resolved the State leadership crisis in T-TDP clearing the path for A Revanth Reddy to take over the mantle full-fledged. But the buzz in the political circles is that it’s not all that easy for the new entrant to get along with the other two leaders with whom he can’t even see eye to eye.

The saga of acrimony between Errabelli and Konda couple dates back to almost two decades. In 2001, the then Government Whip, Errabelli went to the extent of parading a group of alleged victims of Konda Murali in the Assembly lobbies.

It may be recalled that Murali and some of his followers were booked for the murder of Kolli Pratapa Reddy, a close associate of Errabelli, in 2003. Later, Murali and his wife Surekha, then Congress MLA, also faced a case under the Prevention of Terrorist Act for allegedly planning to kill Errabelli, who at the point was representing Wardhannapet in the Assembly.

On the other hand, the rivalry between Srihari and Errabelli is also well known even when they sailed together in the TDP. While Srihari joined the TRS ahead of the 2014 elections and became MP to subsequently take the Deputy Chief Minister seat, Surekha did the same and got elected from Warangal East seat.

Recently, Murali also became MLC from local bodies’ constituency. Errabelli accused Srihari of obstructing the development of his constituency, Palakurthy, at every available opportunity. Now, with the triumvirate in the ruling party, it could be a huge task for the TRS leadership to maintain and satisfy their respective cadres.

Already, there has been disgruntlement within the TRS leaders who have been with the party since inception. “If the leadership continues to give preference to newcomers what about the staunch loyalists who have with the party through the thick and thin,” a senior TRS leader wondered.

Meanwhile, the rumor mills are abuzz with the news that Errabelli is likely to replace incumbent Minister A Chandulal, who also hails from the district. It’s also said that Errabelli’s brother Pradeep Rao, former Praja Rajyam leader, will be made Mayor as Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation elections are round the corner.

TDP district president Gandra Satyanarayana Rao said: “Kadiyam Srihari was the first to backstab the party. Now Errabelli has done a similar desertion. Let it be known that changed loyalties will hardly impact the party because the backbone of TDP has been its cadre.”

TDP leader and former Mulug MLA Seethakka said: “All these days Errabelli worked like an agent of TRS. It’s shame on his part to kneel down before KCR with the singular intention of hanging on to power that could serve his vested interests.”