T. Kavithamma

ANANTAPUR: The worst fears of Telugu Desam Party (TDP in Anantapur came true on Monday afternoon when the Congress bagged the ZP chairperson's post in spite of not having enough strength, by forcing the defection of two TDP ZPTC members to their side.

Congress ZPTC member from Rapthadu T. Kavithamma was elected chairperson and M. Narasimhulu (Nallamada) vice-chairperson respectively. They were unanimously elected with the raising of hands by 30 Congress ZPTCs including the two TDP members who defected to Congress camp, amid protest by the TDP legislators and a few ZPTC members.

The remaining 31 TDP ZPTC members boycotted the meeting minutes after it was re-convened after the lunch break, as two TDP ZPTCs members G. Srikanth Reddy (Bukkaraya Samudram) and T. Raghaviah (N.P.Kunta) sat among the Congress members. Taken aback by the `unexpected' developments TDP legislators Paritala Sunita and P. Keshav rushed to the ZPTC members' enclosure to persuade them. While Ms. Sunita even tried to touch the feet of the two members in a desperate bid, Congress ZPTC member from Gudibanda G.B. Shivakumar argued with Mr. Keshav. Unable to convince the defected members, they asked the party ZPTCs to boycott the meeting.

Ministers drop hints

Enough indications about the political drama to be unveiled a few hours later were given by the two Ministers J.C. Diwakar Reddy and N. Raghuveera Reddy while entering the hall. Mr. Raghuveera Reddy told mediapersons, "I wish you get enough stuff to write about today", Mr. Diwakar Reddy simply said, "Wait and see."

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