Group rivalries in YSRCP in Chirala constituency came to the fore on the death anniversary of YS Rajasekhara Reddy on September 2. Karanam Balaram’s son Venkatesh and former MLA Amanchi Krishna Mohan competed with each other in organizing programmes on the day. The two sides even engaged in fisticuffs over arranging flexis, forcing police intervention. Karanam Venkatesh joined the ruling party earlier this year. His father MLA Balaram, though formally has not joined the party is openly supporting it. Another TDP MLC Pothula Sunitha too joined YSRCP. The exodus of his rivals into the ruling party naturally put Amanchi in an awkward situation. A fight for dominance has begun in the ruling party.
Two groups in the ruling party are engaged in a war of words. Taking a dig at former MLA Amanchi, Karanam Venkatesh said that they will ensure peace and development in Chirala constituency unlike in the past. He is also taunting the former MLA’s aggressive behavior by commenting that hooliganism ruled the roost in Chirala earlier. Countering this criticism, Amanchi is saying that some leaders entered into the party by touching YS Jagan’s feet. He is wondering how people who cannot survive without the support of the ruling party criticize him. He went a step ahead and wrote a letter to party leadership demanding action against Balaram and Sunitha.
But sources say Jagan will not be convinced by Amanchi’s argument about Balaram’s Kamma caste affiliation and that he is TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu’s agent. The close association between YS Rajasekhara Reddy and Karanam Balaram is well-known in the district. Both of them were elected MLAs for the first time in 1978. Despite Balaram joining TDP later, the bonhomie continued between the two leaders long after. It is also said that it was YSR who brought Karanam Balaram into Congress after he was released from jail in Gottipati Kishore murder case. This case against Balaram was diluted during Congress rule.
According to some senior leaders, it was YSR who advised Balaram to join TDP as Kamma leaders would not get any recognition and appreciation in Congress. Balaram’s close aides say he was depressed after his defeat in the 2009 election and went into political hibernation for some months. YSR is said to have called him up and enquired about his health. He is also said to have suggested that he focus on Addanki constituency where his prospects would be brighter.
People of the district feel that it is impossible for Jagan to set aside the longtime association of Balaram with his father and accord importance to Amanchi Krishna Mohan. Balaram’s longtime rival Gottipati Ravi Kumar is now TDP Addanki MLA, which is also a factor behind Balaram leaving TDP.
There is also talk of a miffed Amanchi shifting his loyalty back to TDP if Jagan doesn’t heed his demand for action against Balaram. All eyes are now on YSRCP leadership’s decision on this tussle.
