VIJAYAWADA: The efforts of the YSRC leadership to rein in dissidents seem to have not yielded much results. After reportedly making up his mind to join the TDP, Penamaluru MLA Kolusu Pardhasaradhi has come out open against the party leadership, which has replaced him with Housing Minister Jogi Ramesh. Meanwhile, Chintalapudi MLA V Eliza has also criticised the YSRC leadership after being denied ticket for the ensuing elections.
Going vocal against the party leadership, Kolusu said, “The tall claim of YSRC being a party which is committed to empowerment of BCs, is just a myth. Though I have acknowledged earlier that the YSRC gives priority to BCs, it has taken very little time for me to realise that I am wrong.”
Kolusu also felt that he might have been sidelined for his inability to ‘abuse’ the Opposition and its leaders.“Did my failure to use unparliamentary language against Opposition leaders amount to my inefficiency?’’ he questioned.He alleged that the party wanted him to contest Gannavaram Assembly seat, where there are no chances of winning the election. “This is nothing but an attempt to make a BC leader a scapegoat,” he observed.
The senior leader, who worked in the cabinet of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, also wondered as to how he was not inducted into the present cabinet. However, Kolusu has refused to comment on his joining the TDP, but sources said he is likely to meet the Opposition party chief N Chandrababu Naidu soon. He may ask for either Penamaluru or Nuzvid Assembly seat.
The TDP, on the other hand, has started pacifying its own leader and former MLA Bode Prasad, who is opposing the joining of Kolusu.Chintalapudi MLA Eliza, a former IRS officer, said, “I quit service to work for the YSRC, but now I am left in the middle of nowhere.’’ He admitted having differences with Eluru MP Kotagiri Sridhar, but expressed unhappiness over denial of the party ticket on that pretext.
Alleging conspiracy by some leaders, Eliza said the actual survey reports were set aside and fabricated reports were given to the high command leading to the present situation. “The party should understand the conspiracy behind the false reports against me otherwise the party will suffer,” he cautioned.
Elsewhere, Pithapuram MLA Pendem Dorababu organised a massive programme with thousands of his followers from across the constituency as a show of strength marking his birthday. The YSRC has named Kakinada MP Vanga Geetha as incharge of Pithapuram.