Will he or won’t he? This is the question doing rounds in the political circles in Visakhapatnam regarding the probable defection of former minister and Telugu Desam Party legislator from Visakhapatnam (north) Ganta Srinivasa Rao.
There were reports in the social media and mainstream media till a few days ago about Ganta’s defection to the ruling YSR Congress party led by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The media reports said Jagan had given a green signal to the entry of Ganta into the YSRC, following lobbying by senior minister from north coastal Andhra Botsa Satyanaryana, after consulting with YSRC leader in-charge of Viskahapatnam and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams chairman Y V Subba Reddy.
But there was no confirmation from either Ganta or the YSRC. Even the TDP leadership, too, has maintained silence in this regard.
Suddenly, Ganta has started championing the cause of Kapu community.
On December 26, he organised a programme to commemorate the death anniversary of Kapu leader Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga.
And on the New Year Day, he distributed greeting cards among the well-wishers and friends, with the picture of TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on it wishing a bright future ahead to the people of the state in the coming year.
This has resulted in a talk that Ganta has dropped plans to join the YSRC and he still wants to continue in the TDP and he is expecting the TDP ticket from Bhimili or Chodavaram or Anakapalle.
A few days ago, the TDP leaders circulated a video of Ganta in the social media, speaking at a meeting giving a categorical clarification that he won’t quit the party.
He was heard saying he will sail with party president N Chandrababu Naidu as long as he is politics.
"I will remain the TDP and will strive for the victory of the TDP. Let the social media write whatever they want, but I will continue in the TDP," the former minister is seen saying in the video.
While the YSRC sources said it was an old video, the TDP ranks said Ganta won’t quit the party. Now that he has given some clarity with his New Year greeting cards, the speculations might come to an end.
But in politics, anything might happen any time!
