Three cabinet colleagues of CM Kiran Kumar Reddy may join TDP

Image
Press Trust of India Hyderabad
Last Updated : Feb 24 2014 | 7:48 PM IST
Giving a shocker to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, at least three of his cabinet colleagues are set to join the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) soon, sources said.
A fourth minister has decided to quit the Congress but has not yet made up his mind whether to join the TDP or the new party likely to be floated by Kiran.
Ministers Erasu Pratap Reddy and T G Venkatesh, who had all along been trusted supporters of Kiran, would meet TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu here on February 27 and formally join the party.
Another minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao is also set to return to his parent party this week, TDP sources said.
TDP MPs Y S Chowdary, C M Ramesh and MP-elect Garikapati Mohan Rao conferred with Erasu, T G Venkatesh and Ganta today and discussed their political plans. It was then decided that Erasu and TG would meet Chandrababu Naidu on February 27 and formally announce their entry into the TDP.
Ganta Srinivasa Rao who is also expected to follow suit, began his political career in the TDP and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Anakapalli in 1999. He joined the erstwhile Praja Rajyam Party in 2008 and became a minister after it merged with the Congress.
T G Venkatesh also previously served as a TDP MLA, while Erasu has been a Congressman all through.
Erasu and T G Venkatesh belong to Kurnool district in Rayalaseema, while Ganta Srinivasa Rao represents Visakhapatnam district in North Coastal Andhra.
Another minister Satrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju from Vizianagaram district, has also decided to quit the Congress, but hasn't made up his mind yet about his next step.
Indications are that he may return to the TDP, in the presence of Naidu, at a public rally to be held in Vizianagaram on February 26.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 24 2014 | 7:48 PM IST

Next Story