Vizianagaram district was once a stronghold for the TDP, but the party is simmering with dissidence which came to surface on Sunday (September 27) when former chief whip and senior leader Gadde Babu Rao announced his resignation from the party, tearfully alleging that seniors were being ignored.
Sidelined in the party
Babu Rao, who has been active in the party since its inception, served as MLA two times, as government whip, and once as MLC. He was one of the state level leaders of the party during the time of NTR and was the face of the party in the district. His importance reduced somewhat after N Chandrababu Naidu became party chief. He lost his prominence since 2004 with the entry of young leaders into party and Ashok Gajapathi Raju gaining prominence.
No ticket in 2 elections
Gadde Babu Rao tried for the TDP ticket from Cheepurupalli Assembly constituency in both 2014 and 2019 elections. At the same time, it was alleged that he helped TDP rivals in the constituency. In this backdrop, he has not been getting much attention in the party for the last few years. There were complaints that Babu Rao did not support Ashok Gajapathi Raju in the two elections when he contested as MP which led to fraying of relations between the two leaders. He has been silent since his relations are not good both with state party leaders as well as district leaders.
Third time
It is not the first time for Babu Rao to leave the TDP. Miffed over the treatment of the party, he resigned two times in the past. He returned to the party fold before the general elections. He is leaving the party at a time when it is in severe crisis. His resignation, coming at a time when many TDP leaders are looking toward the ruling party, is expected to not have much impact on the party.
Have the despair and apathy in the district party led to the latest development? Let’s see if the party leadership sits up and makes note of the crisis and takes remedial measures.
