The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Roadshow as party affair

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Roadshow as party affair

G. Nagaraja

Naidu spends most of his time setting his house in order during Meekosam

It takes nearly three hours for the fire-fighting exercise
Visit marked by conspicuous absence of a section of party seniors

TANUKU: TDP president N. Chnadrababu Naidu has embarked on his second round of Meekosam programme in West Godavari district amid desertions and the sulking of his party ranks. His programme appeared to be more of a party affair than a public show as he was seen spending most of his time setting his house in order in the wake of media reports on the large-scale exodus of his party leaders into the political outfit to be floated by mega star Chiranjeevi.

Mr. Naidu, who entered the district from East Godavari district on Sunday night, took up his routine roadshow in this prosperous coastal town only after 3 pm. His day began with cajoling party senior leader and former Minister Makineni Pedarattaiah from Guntur district, who expressed his displeasure over the state of affairs in his district party and wished to leave the party if there was no turnaround.

Mr. Rattaiah came to the local ZP high school premises where Mr. Naidu made a night halt along with a large number of his followers in response to a call from Mr. Naidu to make the last-ditch efforts at a patch-up. It took nearly three hours for the fire-fighting exercise by the party president.

Later, Mr. Naidu announced at a media conference that his mission to pacify the sulking leader was successful. What had boosted Mr. Naidu, of course, was his interaction with a small group of youth from the party in Karimnagar district minutes after his wife Bhuvaneswari returned home after personally knowing his wellbeing.

Faith reposed

The youth brigade expressed its faith in Mr. Naidu’s leadership even after some leaders like T.Devendar Gowd and E. Peddi Reddy from the Telangana region broke away from the party. He devoted whatever time was left to an interaction with the party rank and file of West Godavari district.

His visit was marked by the conspicuous absence of a section of party seniors from the district. Those who played truant included party vice-president Ambika Krishna, also a film producer and former MLA, and Maradani Ranga Rao, another former MLA from Eluru; Pendyala Venkatakrishna Rao alias Krishna Babu, MLA from Kovvuru who kept himself away from party activities ever since the MLC elections, Kalidindi Ramachandra Raju, former Minister from Undi and Garapati Sambhasiva Rao, another former Minister from Denduluru.

Meanwhie, Mr. Naidu exuded confidence that the TDP under his stewardship would be able to stage a comeback by defeating the Congress in the next elections by withstanding the minor setbacks it suffered in the form of desertions. “People are with me. Nothing happens if some individuals desert the party to pursue their selfish-goals,” he said.

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