Faced with an increasingly active BJP in Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu is believed to have given the green signal to admit leaders from other Parties including the Congress, into the TDP.
One of the problems faced by Naidu is that the cadre and leaders are unwilling to admit their rivals into the Party fold as it would diminish their own importance.
The cadre also would feel let down if leaders from other Parties were admitted and given portfolios for it would undermine their own loyalty.
Ganta Srinivas Rao is an example. But many leaders in recent times who were keen on joining the TDP have been turned away.
Kavuri Sambasiva Rao wanted to join the TDP but the local TDP politicians opposed the move and Kavuri joined the BJP. Similarly, Kiran, Bothsa, Harsha Kumar and other congressmen are all set to join the BJP.
Kanna Lakshminarayana has already joined the BJP. Konathala Ramakrishna from Anakapalle is the latest person desirous of joining the TDP. Ironically, this is being opposed by Ganta Srinivasa Rao. However Naidu is said to have put his foot down firmly and welcome Konathala into the Party.
Naidu is worried that they might end up losing some very good men to the BJP. Also, the number of Council seats is all set to increase along with the Rajya Sabha seats. That being the case, the TDP needs enough big names to fill those posts.
Hence, Naidu is believed to have come to the conclusion that anyone irrespective of the earlier Party he was in, is welcome to join the TDP!
