With the appointment of Atchannaidu as the state president of the Telugu Desam Party, there is a concern among the ruling party. Srikakulam is generally considered a bastion of the TDP and the YSRCP is now growing in the district. It is in this context that Atchannaidu, who has a good grip on Srikakulam, has increased the focus on bringing the past glory of the party in his home district. Hence, the YSRCP is taking all precautions against giving TDP any kind of opportunity. The YSRCP, which had until now ignored senior leader and veteran Dharmana Prasada Rao, has roped him into the field.
Dharmana was made active in the district as he had served as a minister during the Congress regime and also has a good grip on Srikakulam district and his good relations with the people. Even though he was elected as an MLA from Srikakulam, he was confined to Srikakulam as he was not given due priority. Discussions are going on in the party that he will be touring across the district in the coming days and strengthen the party.
Having worked in YSR Cabinet a strength
Dharmana Prasad Rao of Narasannapeta constituency of Srikakulam district served as minister during the YSR regime. The district got a good deal in that election. He was also a minister in Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy’s cabinet. He had the subject to talk in the Assembly even while in opposition. Getting a minister’s post before the family of Yerrannaidu could get it, has added advantage for him.
After facing defeat in 2014 elections on YSRCP ticket, he made sensational comments against Jagan saying that ‘Winning in Pulivendula is not a big deal… he should win in Srikakulam too’. It is because of these comments that he was side-lined despite having won as an MLA from YSRCP in 2019. With high command giving signals and his brother Krishna Das being a deputy chief minister, he has now turned active.
Earlier, he was not active and was limited to his constituency as the high command ignored him. Now he has become active in the constituency and is gathering the party cadre. During his visit to Tekkali, Palasa, Ichapuram Assembly constituencies, the YSRCP followers welcomed him putting aside all differences.
It is learnt that he was active after getting signals directly from Jagan. There is a campaign going on that he was made active only to counter the TDP president Atchannaidu. It is learnt that Dharmana Prasad Rao would get a chance if there is a cabinet expansion. However, there are doubts that this would happen because two persons are from the same family. Apart from these, it is not easy to change Krishna Das, who is close to Jagan. It is said that he was brought into the picture to check the TDP chief Atchannaidu.
