Telugu Desam struggles with leadership gap in Tirupati district

 TIRUPATI: Tirupati district is presenting a unique challenge for the Telugu Desam (TD) as it faces the absence of a state-level leader capable of representing all constituencies in the region and taking the fortunes of the party forward in the religiously high-voltage district.

Since the reorganisation of districts, the TD has been struggling to fill the void left by influential leaders from the former Chittoor district.

In the past, TD had strong leadership in erstwhile Chittoor district like Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy, Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu and N. Amarnath Reddy, who commanded influence over all the 14 constituencies.

However, the formation of new Tirupati district has created a leadership vacuum, leaving the party without such troubleshooters. Consequently, the party high command has had to step in and handle various matters, adding to their burden.

Although the TD appointed former TUDA chairman Narasimha Yadav as president of the Tirupati parliamentary constituency, he’s facing a lack of cooperation from sections of the TD, riven with internal groupism.

The confinement of former minister Amarnath Reddy to party affairs in Chittoor district has also added to the leadership void in Tirupati district.

As the Assembly elections draw nearer, party cadres are stressing the urgent need for the party high command to address such issues and ensure smooth functioning of party.

A recent meeting between a former MLA and YSRC leader, SCV Naidu and TD chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu have raised eyebrows. Hints are that SCV expressed his interest in rejoining the TD. However, his aspirations for the Srikalahasti seat may be thwarted. TD leadership favours Bojjala Sudheer, son of Gopalakrishna Reddy, for the seat.

Consequently, SCV Naidu might seek TD district leadership instead of contesting the assembly polls.

A report said he has made a request to TD for his induction into the party. This, after he held discussions on this matter with his followers. There are those in TD who feel Naidu's reentry into the party will fill the leadership void in the district.