Cracks have appeared in the fort of Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who’s known for strengthening the Telugu Desam Party in Vizianagaram. Former MLA Meesala Geeta has started a new party office adjacent to the building of Ashok Gajapati Raju. She has been indirectly fighting against Ashok Gajapathi Raju by alleging that he prevented her from getting a Vizianagaram ticket in the last assembly elections, and has now launched a direct war. Geeta, who had a social and political background succeeded in bringing a group of people out of the ‘fortress’ with her. With this, the issue has currently turned a hot topic in the district. This has led to unrest in the Telugu Desam Party.
She is trying to put breaks on Ashok Gajapati Raju, who has created hurdles in her growth in the party. She has also thrown a new challenge to TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu by not heeding to his suggestions and tried to showcase her strength. She had contested the 2009 elections for the Praja Rajyam Party from Vizianagaram and put Raju under pressure. Though she lost, she got many votes. Apart from her family background, she enjoys the complete support of the strong Kapu community.
Entry into TDP along with Ganta
During the 2014 Assembly elections, Meesala Geeta had joined the TDP along with her political mentor, Ganta Srinivasa Rao. She turned the clock to get a Vizianagaram Assembly TDP ticket. With this blow, Ashok had to contest for the Lok Sabha. Ashok tried to create hurdles in every step to ensure he does not lose ground in his constituency. Vizianagaram district in-charge minister Ganta also assisted her. However, in the 2019 elections, Ashok insisted and got a ticket for his daughter Aditi Gajapathiraju, who contested unsuccessfully. There were reports that Aditi lost the elections because of Geetha Meesala’s followers.
Even after Aditi’s defeat, Meesala Gita had expectations that Chandrababu would make her in incharge of the constituency. However, this did not happen and she stopped attending party activities. It has to be seen how the TDP high command reacts to this issue.
