Maverick industrialist-turned-former Lok Sabha member Lagadapati Rajagopal has made it clear that he has no interest whatsoever in returning to active politics again in Andhra.
He, however, said he was ready to campaign for his old friends in the Congress, if they contested the elections.
There were reports in the media that Lagadapati is planning to return to active politics and contest from Vijayawada or Guntur Lok Sabha constituency on Telugu Desam Party ticket. The reports also said he was in touch with TDP president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
On Monday, the speculations picked up once again after Lagadapati held closed door meetings with former Rajahmundry MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar and former Amalapuram MP G V Harsha Kumar.
However, Lagadapati said there was no question of entering electoral politics again. He said he had called on Harsha Kumar and Vundavalli as a matter of courtesy while he was on his way to Kakinada, where he was to attend a family function.
“I have left the politics and the Congress party while fighting for the cause of Andhra people and their aspirations. Though the Congress had given me political birth, I came out of it, differing with its decision to divide the combined Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
He said though he was out of active politics, he would extend support to Vundavalli Arun Kumar and Harsha Kumar, if they contested the elections.
“I shall campaign for them in the elections,” he said.
Stating that there was a competition between a regional party and a national party in the state, Lagadapati said now, the fight was between two regional parties and the national parties have lost their relevance in the state.
“But in Telangana, I am glad that the Congress came to power. That is a good signal for democracy,” he asserted.
