Groupism in Telugu Desam riles AP Urban Development minister Dr P. Narayana

Nellore: TD corporators and leaders got a taste of the fury of the otherwise cool Urban Development minister Dr P. Narayana during a review at Nellore Municipal Corporation office here on Saturday.

The minister’s sudden outburst  baffled TD leaders, officials and corporators alike.

The minister came down heavily against TD spokesman and corporator Dr Z. Sivaprasad, a close associate of TDP politburo member Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, accusing him of  encouraging groupism in the party.

In an obvious reference to Chandramohan Reddy, he said  he was aware of the people behind Dr Sivaprasad. Referring to Union Urban Development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu taking part in the Swachh Bharat programme scheduled in Nellore on Sunday, he chided Dr Sivaprasad, who was Mayor nominee of TDP, for not discussing with him the role of  TD corporators in the event.

Making it clear that those indulging in  cheap politics will be shown the door, Dr Narayana  reminded all of how he had directed his close follower Vemireddy Pattabhirami Reddy to maintain distance from party affairs after realising his undesirable activities in the party.

“I even vacated my office in Nellore after observing that Pattabhi had converted it into a party office. Don’t take my calmness  for granted, I can be very tough too. I have  the call data of who is talking to whom regularly.” 

The minister said stringent action would be initiated against dissidents, and  even asked dissidents to leave the party. He added that party Chief Mr Naidu  had given  him a free hand in dealing firmly with those indulging  in group politics.

Dr Narayana also faulted  Dr Sivaprasad and party corporators for not extending  support to Mayor Abdul Azeez who had joined the party with the approval of the CM. Dr Sivaprasad, who had spent a large amount of money  during  the corporation election to become Mayor, was shocked by the minister's charge.

The only saving grace for Dr Sivaprasad, a noted paediatrician in the city, was that the minister asked him to take care of corporation's affairs in the absence of the  Mayor.