After a lot of dilly-dallying, former minister and North Coastal Andhra Development Forum convenor Konathala Ramakrishna is learnt to have made up his mind to join the Telugu Desam Party very soon.
This was evident from his statement on Wednesday that the political situation in the state was turning in favour of the TDP due to divided opposition.
“The political graph of YSR Congress party is gradually coming down, while Jana Sena Party has no organizational structure. The Congress is turning out to be friendly with the TDP.
The other opposition parties – BJP, CPI and CPI (M) are going in diverse paths. Unless the YSRC and Jana Sena are brought together by the BJP, the TDP has better prospects,” he said.
Konathala also praised TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu for taking steps for the development of north coastal Andhra, such as releasing of funds for Sujala Sravanthi and other projects, besides expediting several ongoing schemes.
“Since there is not much time for the release of election notification, I will take a decision soon on joining a political party,” he said.
For the last few years, Konathala has been in state of confusion as to which way he should go. There was a talk that the former minister would join the TDP long ago, but Naidu did not take him into the party due to pressures from others like Ganta Srinivasa Rao.
There was also 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 was also getting ready to join the YSRC but later, he changed his mind and has been in touch with Jana Sena.
Since Konathala has been writing strongly-worded letters to Naidu over special status, railway zone and other issues, everybody thought he might join the YSRC. But it is learnt there was no response from YSRC to Konathala.
In April, Konathala attended the day-long deeksha organised by TDP at Visakhapatnam on special category status. This gave rise to the impression that he might join the TDP.
May be Naidu is trying for Konathala’s entry as it would strengthen the TDP in north-coastal Andhra.
