The Hindu : Mysoora cannot ignore faction realities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Mysoora cannot ignore faction realities

By W. Chandrakanth

HYDERABAD, FEB. 7. It is not going to be that easy for M.V. Mysoora Reddy to make up his mind on the date of entry into to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which has been on the cards for quite some time now. Things have just started moving for him, and he has a long way to go.

In the faction-ridden politics of Rayalaseema, particularly in Cuddapah district, leaders cannot take decisions on such major moves without consulting their followers. Violent history prevents them from doing so. Dr. Mysoora Reddy is no exception.

Dr. Reddy, who began his career in 1981 as samithi president of Kamalapuram when Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was already MLA, lost the 1983 elections and won the 1985, 1989 and 1999 elections. He lost in 1994 to the TDP candidate.

His removal from the post of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) secretary after the 1999 elections widened the gulf between him and Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy, but there was talk of a patch-up later.

Dr. Mysoora Reddy is aware of the fact that as long his political fortunes are linked to Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy's moves, his elevation in the political ladder may not come through.

Dr. Mysoora Reddy is believed to have lost much ground in Kamalapuram, the constituency he represented in the dissolved Assembly, and this, perhaps, has forced him to make the latest move.

He is also in a dilemma over his next move as he needs to convince his followers without whose support he cannot switch sides.

After all, just two years ago, seven followers of his rival, Veera Shiva Reddy of the TDP, were killed near Rajupalem while journeying to Proddatur to appear in a case relating to the killing of two Congress activists. In faction-ridden villages, forgiving and forgetting is not that easy. And a leader cannot join hands with his rivals without the consent of his followers whose family members have been eliminated.

Precisely for this reason, Dr. Mysoora Reddy is planning to spend time in his constituency to hold discussions with his group. Hence, the process might delay his anticipated entry into the TDP.

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