Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s statement at Mahanadu on Wednesday that some covert elements from YSR Congress party joined the TDP and are damaging the party created ripples in the party.
“Some anarchic elements from the YSRCP have infiltrated the TDP and are operating as covert agents, causing harm to the party. I have been observing everything — this will not be tolerated,” he said.
This has surprised many, as it clearly exposed lack of an intelligence network in the party and leaders from the YSRCP are joining the TDP without his knowledge.
Normally, without Naidu’s consent, no leader from YSRCP can join the TDP as he is the one who will offer them party scarf and offer him membership.
“If Naidu knows that there are YSRCP coverts in the TDP, who stopped him from sacking them? And who brought them into the party in the first place without his knowledge?” a party leader asked.
Another TDP worker said it was Naidu and his son Lokesh, who are surrounded by some leaders from YSRCP, acting as strategists and advisors.
“Some of them were elected to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, assembly and even council from the TDP,” he said.
He pointed out that some leaders, who were once close associates and frontmen of Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, those who donated hundreds of crores to the YSR Congress Party, and contractors who were once firmly aligned with Jagan have today become Naidu’s close aides and inner circle.
“These are the ones who are still securing contracts worth hundreds of crores, all of which is widely known,” he said.
The party workers who attended Mahanadu have expressed opinion that grassroots workers to senior leaders, who have treated the TDP as their very breath and life since its inception, have been ignored and those who come from YSRCP into the TDP with money bags are being encouraged.
“So, there is no meaning in Naidu crying foul over some defectors from the YSRCP into the TDP are acting as Jagan coverts and are damaging the TDP. Does Naidu have guts to sack them, if he knows them?” an ordinary party worker asked.
