VISAKHAPATNAM:Telugu Desam Party supremo and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu got candid with warring ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu and threatened to drop them from the cabinet if they did not set their differences aside for the sake of the party. Taking note of the cold war between HRD minister and the Panchayat Raj minister, Chandrababu categorically sent the message to all the leaders and ministers in general, but to Ganta and Ayyanna in particular.
A large number of party workers, including MLAs, loudly responded when the Chief Minister issued a stringent warning to both the ministers. Overwhelmed by the huge response from the party cadre, Chandrbabu Naidu asked the leaders to join hands and work hard for the welfare of the party workers. While addressing the district-level party workers meet here Wednesday, Chandrababu Naidu lauded the talents of Ganta and Ayyanna. He said that the two heavyweights were very capable. But the party cadre and the MLAs feel that their (Ganta and Ayyanna) differences were telling on the party. They suggested that both the ministers work in sync to ensure that the party did not suffer. Chandrababu also directed both the ministers to take on board active workers of the party on various issues as the party had come to power after a decade-long struggle. Because of the cadre, the party and its leaders, including himself, were back in the saddle, Naidu said.
When the party chief raised the issue in the meeting, both the ministers kept enigmatically mum, though smiling. Finally, Naidu asked Ganta to concentrate on strengthening the party in the city while he asked party senior Ayyanna to take care of the rural district.
During the interaction, many workers complained against the ministers and the MLAs. They alleged that the MLAs and the ministers were misusing their powers, and in such a situation, the workers cannot face the people. Responding, Chandrababu warned the MLAs that they should take the party workers’ suggestions and help them in resolving local issues. He also warned them not to meddle in the affairs of other constituencies. Finally, Naidu promised the party workers that their services would be recognised very soon and active workers would be nominated to various committees and given responsibilities.