The resignation of industrialist-turned-part-time politician Koneru Rajendra Prasad from the YSR Congress party has been projected as a big loss to Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, but it is, in fact, a blessing in disguise for the Opposition leader.
Everybody knows Koneru Prasad had taken to politics before 2014 general election only to get political protection for his alleged shady deals – whether it is in the infamous Emaar-MGF Boulder Hills real estate scam at Nanakramguda or the illegal mining of beach sand by his Trimex group in Srikakulam.
He maintained cordial relations with all the political parties – Telugu Desam Party, the Congress and later YSR Congress party only with this intention.
Everybody knows Koneru Prasad was closer to the TDP, particularly N Chandrababu Naidu, till 2004. Naidu’s family members, including his daughter-in-law Brahmani – also own plots in the Emaar-MGF Boulder Hills project.
After 2004, he dumped the TDP and came closer to Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and gained large benefits, including the beach sand mining project for his Trimex group.
It was during the YSR regime that Emaar had resorted to the real estate scam by duping the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation and after YSR’s death in 2009, the CBI began probe into the scam.
Subsequently, Koneru focussed on minting money through beach sand mining, which is also facing several legal problems.
In 2014, he joined the YSR Congress party, hoping that Jagan would come to power and he would get his mining project legitimised. He contested the Vijayawada Lok Sabha seat on YSR Congress party ticket but lost by huge margin. Thereafter, he went into political oblivion, staying away from the YSR Congress party activities.
In the recent past, the illegal mining of beach sand came into focus once again and the Centre has started probing the same. So, Koneru had no option but to get political protection again. Since he would not get any support if he stays in YSR Congress party, he quit the same and is now eyeing on the TDP.
It remains to be seen whether Naidu will come to his rescue and bail him out of the mining scam. If he does, it will definitely backfire on him in the next elections.
