Problems seem to be only mounting for the TRS. It had once lured leaders from other parties as part of its Operation Akarsh. Now those defectors are proving a tough nut to crack. In Khammam district, the war is not between the loyal band of party workers and defectors, it is between defectors and defectors - all from the same party, the YSRCP.
Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, who won on YSRCP ticket and later joined the TRS, is now resorting to the group politics of the worst kind. He considers both Sattupalli and Wyra constituencies in Khammam as his fiefdom and brooks no interference from anyone. For instance, the TRS chief has announced Pidamarthi Ravi as the candidate for the Sattupalli constituency. But, Mattapalli Dayanand, who contested on YSRCP ticket last time and lost, is challenging him. He has decided to defeat Pidamarthi Ravi. He has already taken out a massive rally to prove his strength. Dayanand is a close camp follower of Ponguleti.
In Wyra, his one-time protege Madan Lal has been given the ticket. But, during the last four years, Madanlal switched over from Ponguleti to Tummala group. So, Ponguleti is out to defeat him. Already 20 key elected people's representatives in the local government have resigned their posts in protest against Madan Lal. Ponguleti supporters from five mandals in the constituency held a massive meet the other day as part of the efforts to hit out at Madan Lal. Ponguleti is also unhappy with Jalagam Venkat Rao's re-entry into the party.
Even such a wily politician as KCR too is finding Ponguleti a tough customer to deal with. Meanwhile, Ponguleti wants to ensure that both Ravi and Madan Lal bite the dust at the hustings.
Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, who won on YSRCP ticket and later joined the TRS, is now resorting to the group politics of the worst kind. He considers both Sattupalli and Wyra constituencies in Khammam as his fiefdom and brooks no interference from anyone. For instance, the TRS chief has announced Pidamarthi Ravi as the candidate for the Sattupalli constituency. But, Mattapalli Dayanand, who contested on YSRCP ticket last time and lost, is challenging him. He has decided to defeat Pidamarthi Ravi. He has already taken out a massive rally to prove his strength. Dayanand is a close camp follower of Ponguleti.
In Wyra, his one-time protege Madan Lal has been given the ticket. But, during the last four years, Madanlal switched over from Ponguleti to Tummala group. So, Ponguleti is out to defeat him. Already 20 key elected people's representatives in the local government have resigned their posts in protest against Madan Lal. Ponguleti supporters from five mandals in the constituency held a massive meet the other day as part of the efforts to hit out at Madan Lal. Ponguleti is also unhappy with Jalagam Venkat Rao's re-entry into the party.
Even such a wily politician as KCR too is finding Ponguleti a tough customer to deal with. Meanwhile, Ponguleti wants to ensure that both Ravi and Madan Lal bite the dust at the hustings.