Telugu Desam Party suffered a setback on Saturday with senior party leader and former Minister Kadiam Srihari quitting the party in protest against party’s ambivalent stand on Telangana issue.
Srihari, who was also the party politburo member, decided to resign after consultations with his followers in Warangal district. While TDP leadership was shocked by the developments, other parties grabbed the opportunity to woo the strong leader from Dalit community.
Srihari was keeping a low profile in the party for quite some time and did not participate in the recent public meetings marking the successful completion of the walkathon by party president N Chandrababu Naidu.
TDP leaders from Telangana region specially Warangal district were quick to condemn Kadiam Srihari’s resignation. Another Dalit leader of the party M Narasimhlu said that Kadiam Srihari was a covert agent of other parties in Telugu Desam Party and had harmed the party’s interest.
Former Minister and party MlA from Warangal E Dayakar Rao said that any body who leaves the party will damage himself and no harm will come to the party by Srihari’s resignation.
Other party leaders recalled that earlier another senior party leader from Telangana region T Devender Goud had also quit the party ahead of 2009 elections but could not make any impact and had to return to the party.
Many party leaders and MlAS have quit the TDP in the recent past criticizing Chandrababu Naidu’s unclear stand on Telangana issue. They include N Janardhan Reddy and T Harishwar Reddy.
Sensing an opportunity in Srihari’s resignation, TRS leader and legislator K Taraka Rama Rao rushed to Warangal , met him and invited him to join the TRS. “If he joins the TRS, it will strengthen the movement for Telangana state”, he said.
Warnagal district leaders of the BJP also met Kadiam Srihari and invited him to join the BJP as the party had extended unequivocal support to Telangana struggle.