Two weeks ago, there were reports that former minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas (Nani) from Eluru was scheduled to join the Telugu Desam Party in the presence of party president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the latter’s Undavalli residence.
An official communication was sent to Eluru TDP leaders from the party headquarters about Alla Nani’s entry into the party on December 18.
Even as the former deputy chief minister Nani was making arrangements to travel from Eluru to Undavalli in a big convoy of cars, the programme was suddenly postponed to an indefinite date, for reasons known only to him and the TDP leadership.
In fact, it was reported that his entry into the TDP was strongly resisted by the local TDP cadre in the Eluru assembly constituency. Local TDP MLA Badeti Chanti openly expressed his resentment over the admission of Alla Nani into the TDP.
But he said he would abide by the decision of the high command to induct All Nani into the party. At the same time, he even said entry of the former deputy chief minister would hardly make any difference to the party.
Surprisingly, there was no communication from Alla Nani camp as to when he would join the TDP formally.
According to sources close to the TDP, the chief minister suggested that it would be better to admit Alla Nani into the party when the YSRCP plans any big programme in Eluru.
“Apparently, the TDP leadership is of the view that it would be appropriate to organise the entry of Alla Nani into the party, at a time when YSRCP president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy plans any programme in Eluru. It would be a moral blow to Jagan, if the local YSRCP cadre join the TDP along with Nani,” sources siad.
Nani, who served as Deputy Chief Minister (Medical and Health) in the previous YSRCP regime, had unsuccessfully contested from the Eluru Assembly constituency in the 2024 elections.
Following his defeat, he resigned from the YSRCP in August and announced his decision to quit active politics. However, he later reconsidered and opted to join the TDP.
