The reports that former minister from North Coastal Andhra Konathala Ramakrishna is likely to participate in day-long deeksha organised by Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on April 20 surprised many.
The ruling TDP invited all party representatives to attend the dharna, but no other political party leader accepted the invitation. But Konathala is learnt to have agreed to join the dharna.
It is learnt Naidu had deputed state ministers Devineni Uma Maheshwara Rao and Kala Venkata Rao to speak to Konathala and sought his support to the agitation for special category status to AP. And Konathala agreed to come to the Deeksha camp of Naidu and participate in the agitation.
This has come as a surprise to many as there was a talk that Konathala might re-join the YSR Congress party which he had quit before 2014 elections.
In fact, his close aide and former MLA Gandi Babji has already indicated that he would join the YSRC sooner or later.
Since Konathala has been writing strongly-worded letters to Naidu over special status, railway zone and other issues, everybody thought he was playing the role of a strong opposition leader.
But if Konathala attends Naidu deeksha, it would mean decks were cleared for his entry into the TDP. In fact, the former minister was willing to join the TDP long ago, but Naidu did not take him into the party due to pressures from others like Ganta Srinivasa Rao.
May be Naidu thought Konathala’s entry would strengthen the TDP in north-coastal Andhra!
