TDP senior leader and former minister Kadiam Srihari gave a big shock to the party. He announced quitting the party in support of the Telangana movement, thus giving clear indications of his joining the TRS.
A few days after his meeting with party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and clarifying that he would not leave the party, Kadiam’s announcement of resigning to the primary membership of the party shocked everyone.
It is learnt that he has already made up his mind to join the TRS. Talking to the media on Saturday, Srihari said he was annoyed that the party had not recognized his importance. He was also critical of the party leadership for not identifying and honoring the sentiments of the people of Telangana.
It is learnt that sensing the turn, Naidu has been trying to talk to Kadiam over phone since the last two days but he made himself unavailable. Kadiam worked as minister in N T Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu cabinets and was a politburo member of the party. It is learnt that Kadiam would be joining the TRS on May 15, when the party chief K Chandrasekhara Rao would be visiting the town. It is being said that Kadiam would join the TRS in the presence of KCR at a big public meeting on the day.
Kadiam, who has been differing with Naidu on the Telangana stand since long, has been hurt by the frequent tirades of another senior leader Motkupalli Narasimhulu against him. There have been rumors of the likelihood of his leaving the party since long. However, Naidu tried to patch up things and called Kadiam to Hyderabad recently. After meeting Naidu, Kadiam asserted that he would not leave the party. It was then thought Naidu had succeeded in ironing out the differences between Kadiam and Motkupalli. On Friday, Kadiam reportedly held meetings with his followers of his Station Ghanapur constituency at his residence in Hanamkonda. It is learnt that majority of the supporters had supported his view of standing by the people and fighting for Telangana. It is learnt that most of the supporters expressed the view that there was no possibility of the TDP taking a clear stand on Telangana by the next elections and hence there would be no chance for him to win.
Considering the opinions expressed by his supporters, Kadiam announced his decision to quit the TDP. He said some of the leaders were assuming leadership by themselves and there was utter lack of discipline in the party. He lashed out at the leadership, for not taking action against the erring members. Srihari, however, did not say anything about his future plans.
KADIAM BETRAYED PARTY: REVURI
Reacting to Srihari’s decision to migrate to the TRS, TDP senior leader Revuri Prakash Reddy has said Kadiam Srihari had betrayed the party.
Speaking to the media here on Saturday, Revuri said Srihari had worked as the covert of TRS, while continuing in the TDP. He also alleged that Kadiam was trying to get political advantage by making baseless allegations against the party, which helped him grow politically. (NSS)
