Naidu opens Chiru attack

Hyderabad, , July 7: Reeling from a string of defections to Chiranjeevi’s proposed party and pro-Telangana outfits, the Telugu Desam began to take an aggressive stance on Monday. For the first time, the party attacked Chiranjeevi’s proposed party in a reversal of its stand of waiting for the outfit to be launched. Responding to questions on the migration of senior leaders to Chiranjeevi’s proposed outfit, the TD spokesperson, Dr Mysoora Reddy said, “Those who claimed that they will establish exemplary political norms are encouraging factions in other parties. Is it the cleaning up of politics that they speak highly of.”
Dr Mysoora Reddy did not name Chiranjeevi directly. He said the new outfit would be a combination of Telugu (Telugu Desam) and Congress. He wondered how pulling in leaders from other parties can be “ideal”. Even so, it allowed the impact of party chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu’s conversation with the TRS chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, to sink in. Mr Naidu denied the conversation took place and described it as a “media creation.” But the TD spokespersons, Dr M.V. Mysoora Reddy and Dr K. Sivaprasada Rao, gave different versions.
Dr Mysoora Reddy described the reports as “rumours”. But in Krishna district, Mr Sivaprasada Rao said it was Mr Chandrasekhar Rao who called up Mr Naidu. When newsmen asked him about the possibility of a TD-TRS alliance, Dr Mysoora Reddy said, “I can’t foretell the future. Anything is possible.”
According to sources, Mr Naidu agreed to toe the Telangana line to stop further exodus from the party. Mr Naidu believes that a pro-Telangana stand will counter the impact of Mr Devender Goud on both the TD and the TRS. Pro-Telangana leaders like Mr K. Srihari and Mr S. Venugopalachari welcomed the development. “If the TD and the TRS have an alliance in Telangana, we will sweep the region,” said Mr Srihari.
But Andhra leaders like Mr K. Yerrannaidu. Mr Y. Ramakrishnudu and Mr K. Sivaprasada Rao are reportedly opposing the proposal, fearing that it could affect the party’s prospects in Andhra and Rayalaseema. The TD is also wary of the CPI(M)’s strict “no-statehood” stance and it is afraid that the communists will not support it if it ties up with the TRS. Pro-Telangana TD leaders say that the CPI(M) had allied with the Congress despite its alliance with the TRS in the 2004 elections.
(Courtesy:DC)