The way senior YSR Congress party leader and former minister from Prakasam district Balineni Srinivas Reddy created a furore in the party over denial of cabinet berth in the reconstituted cabinet has become a hot topic of discussion in the party circles.
While not many people took seriously the protests by the followers of leaders like Mekathoti Sucharita or Samineni Udaya Bhanu or Pillelli Ramakrishna Reddy, the open disgruntlement expressed by Balineni came as a big surprise to many in the party.
For, Balineni had been enjoying positions in the party and the government since the days of Y S Rajasekhar Reddy. Even after the YSRC came to power, he had virtually dominated the party politics in Prakasam district.
In return, the party hasn’t benefitted much from him. In fact, the TDP gained a lot of ground in Prakasam district despite tall claims by Balineni.
In 2019 elections, the TDP won five seats in Prakasam district, which is actually a big setback for the YSRC which wiped out the TDP in many districts.
Yet, Balineni wants to grab all the key positions in the party and the government, say the party leaders from the district.
“In fact, the party has regained some ground due to soft nature of Adimulapu Suresh. But Balineni has done nothing for the party,” a party leader said.
Sources said Jagan was forced to pamper Balineni only because he did not want to send a wrong message to the cadre that there is a split in the party.
“Given a chance, Balineni might jump the fence into the TDP. But Jagan doesn’t want that to happen. Hence, he tried to pacify Balineni,” sources said.
When Balineni met Jagan at Tadepalli in the evening, the latter made it clear that he would take care of everybody’s interests in the district.
“Jagan told Balineni that the latter would continue to enjoy the dominance in the party in Prakasam district, though he is not a minister. He assured that he would address a public meeting in Ongole shortly, where he would send a message to the party cadre that Balineni would be their leader and nobody else,” sources said.
After the meeting with Jagan, Balineni said he had never craved for the cabinet berth and he had no differences with Adimulapu Suresh.
“I have been closer to the family of YSR and whatever responsibility I am given, I will accept it,” he said.
