TD leaders see silver lining on cloud

 Published: 13th May 2013 12:17 PM  |   Last Updated: 13th May 2013 12:17 PM

By JR Prasad

In the wake of Dadi Veerabhadra Rao and Kadiam Srihari bidding adieu to the TDP, an extensive discussion is going on among party leaders over the impact of the desertions.

Many leaders are of the opinion that the exodus is a blessing in disguise for the party to infuse new blood as party affairs in each district are still dominated by old-timers who joined the party at the time of its inception in 1982.

“Though there will be some psychological impact on the cadre when a big leader leaves the party, the ongoing desertions will help the party groom new leaders in the place of veterans,” TDP politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu told Express.

According to him, most of the leaders who had left the TDP had to bite the dust. Whether it is Nadendla Bhaskar Rao or Nallapareddy Srinivasulu Reddy or KP Reddaiah Yadav, those who left the party lost out in politics, Ramakrishnudu analysed.

When we observe the defections from various parties in the state, we broadly find three types, he said.

One, those who defected to other parties and went into political oblivion. For instance, several TDP leaders who joined the Praja Rajyam before 2009 polls, like AM Radhakrishna and Shobha Rani, are now struggling survive. Congress leaders who joined the PRP during those polls, like P Shivashankar and KSR Murthy, had to meet a similar fate. Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy and other TRS leaders, who defected to Congress, also ended up the same way.

Two, those who defected to other parties only to return to their parent party later. TDP leaders T Devender Goud, Tammineni Sitaram and Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao came back to TDP from the PRP.

Then there is the third category of leaders who defect to a rival party only to bring new problems for that party. The commotion created in the YSRC after the entry of Dadi Veerabhadra Rao is the latest example, he said.

The TDP leaders say the exodus of seniors would pave the way for second-rung leaders, who have been waiting for an opportunity to prove their political caliber.

“For a 30-year-old party like TDP, naturally there will be some disgruntlement among second-rung functionaries at long-standing leaders. Even I am not exception to this. The ongoing desertions will help the party bring in new leadership,” Ramakrishnudu said.

On the flip side, the TDP leadership is unable to find new leaders in some districts where its seniors left the party. For example, after Gutta Sukhender Reddy’s exit, the yellow party is at a loss to find a leader in Nalgonda district to replace him.