HYDERABAD: On a day of fast-paced political developments, Nava Telangana Party (NTP) leaders conferred with Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi at his office on Sunday to strike an electoral alliance with him in the next elections.
And, Vijayawada East legislator Vangaveeti Radhakrishna quit the Congress and joined Chiranjeevi’s camp in search of greener pastures. Since Radhakrishna belongs to the numerically strong Kapu community in coastal districts –– which is veering towards the actor as he too belongs to the same caste –– he bid adieu to the Congress.
NTP president T Devender Goud drove to Chiranjeevi’s office in Jubilee Hills where both the leaders discussed possible polling trends in Telangana region.
According to sources, the NTP sought eight Lok Sabha and around 45 Assembly seats in the next elections. But, it is prepared to settle for at least two Lok Sabha and 26 Assembly seats. Speaking to reporters later, Devender Goud clarified that he had no objection even if the PRP forged an alliance with the TRS.
He said, ‘‘the samaajika Telangana slogan coined by Chiru is in tune with the aspirations of the people of the backward region.’’ The NTP chief said, ‘‘I have full faith in Chiranjeevi.’’ As regards Radhakrishna, he faxed his resignation to the party high command. He, however, said he would continue as an MLA.
According to him, differences with Devineni Nehru, Kankipadu MLA, an accused in his father Ranga’s murder case, (Nehru was then in TDP) have forced him to switch loyalties.
Sources said Pawan Kalyan was instrumental in bringing Radhakrishna into the party.