Hyderabad, January 22: Telangana Telugu Desam Party Forum (TTDPF) convenor Nagam Janardhan Reddy is smart and appears to be eyeing the chief minister’s post in a separate Telangana state, TDP MLA Motkupalli Narasimhulu didn’t say these words directly but meant as much during his remarks today.
Without referring to Nagam’s name, Narasimhulu said the demand for a separate Telangana unit within the TDP was nothing but an attempt by some to show their hold in the region and thus stake a claim to the chief ministership if and when a separate state is created.
It may be recalled that Nagam has been demanding a separate party unit for Telangana TDP.
If a Telangana state is carved out, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu will automatically form a separate committee. Insisting on a separate party unit instead of fighting for separate statehood is not correct,” Narasimhulu said, adding it would take focus away from T-state demand.
Those who want grip over the party in the region with a desire to become a chief minister in the future have been creating problems in the party, said Narasimhulu, known as a member of Naidu’s coterie.
Naidu gave full freedom to Telangana TDP leaders to carry forward the T-movement. He even agreed to resignations by the party MLAs and MPs for separate Telangana, if the Congress leaders did the same, Narsimhulu pointed out.
While seniors like Narasimhlu and T Devender Goud have been backing Naidu’s stand leaders like E Dayakar Rao, Nagam and K Srihari, who are in touch with the leaders of other parties, are reportedly bringing pressure on Naidu for a separate party unit.
Even if a separate party unit is formed for Telangana, it is likely to trigger another war among seniors for its chief ’s post, Narsimhulu said.
On the other hand, the alternative of forming a Telangana coordination committee with 10 senior leaders has been reportedly shot down by Nagam allegedly as it would reduce his influence.
Therefore, Naidu has decided to continue the existing Telangana TDP Forum with Nagam as its convener and without an executive committee.
Motkupalli’s remarks at this juncture seem to point to the existence of two camps in the party in the Telangana region – Naidu’s Telangana unit and the other one led by Nagam.
—Agencies