Despite the statement by Telugu Desam Party Andhra Pradesh unit president Palla Srinivasa Rao that former Vizianagaram Zilla Parishad chairman Majji Srinivasa Rao, alias Chinna Srinu, was admitted into the party only after obtaining the consent of the local leadership, there is said to be considerable discontent within the TDP in Vizianagaram district.
Chinna Srinu, who is the nephew of senior YSR Congress Party leader and former minister Botsa Satyanarayana, joined the TDP along with his daughter Sahasra ahead of the local body elections in the state.
Initially, political circles believed that Chinna Srinu had switched parties mainly with the objective of securing the Vizianagaram Zilla Parishad chairperson post for his daughter Sahasra. However, there are now reports that the TDP leadership may have also assured a key position to Chinna Srinu himself.
When he was in the YSRCP, Chinna Srinu served as the Vizianagaram district president and in-charge of the Bheemili Assembly constituency, besides holding another important organisational position. He gave up these responsibilities to join the TDP, reportedly after receiving assurances from the ruling party.
Sources claim that the TDP leadership had promised the Zilla Parishad chairperson post for Sahasra, apart from an MLC position and even a Cabinet berth for Chinna Srinu. These reports have reportedly not gone down well with sections of the TDP leadership in Vizianagaram.
According to sources, veteran TDP leader and former Union minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who recently took over as the Governor of Goa, is said to be unhappy with Chinna Srinu’s entry into the TDP.
Reports suggest that Ashok Gajapathi Raju is opposed to any major position being given to Chinna Srinu and has reportedly conveyed his reservations to TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
There are also reports that Ashok Gajapathi Raju may have indicated to the party leadership that he would consider resigning as Goa Governor if Chinna Srinu is given a Cabinet berth. These claims, however, remain unverified.
The developments have created uncertainty among Chinna Srinu’s supporters over his political future in the TDP.
Interestingly, although Chinna Srinu moved from the YSRCP to the TDP, sections of his cadre are understood to remain politically aligned with Botsa Satyanarayana rather than moving with him.
This has also led to speculation that Chinna Srinu might not hesitate to return to the YSRCP if he is denied any significant position in the TDP.
