Vijayawada: YSRC had tactfully handled Gowtham Reddy's issue by immediately suspending him from the party as it would have serious political implications.
The party, which is slowly coping with the loss in Nandyal bypolls, is facing a problem from its own leaders in the form of group conflicts.
Mr Gowtham Reddy, who has been with the party since its formation, touching the sensitive issue of Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga's murder with his controversial comments, had brought pressure on the party.
Belonging to the Reddy community, he targeted another major community in the state, the Kapus, and the YSRC which is expecting their support electorally, considered it seriously.
The YSRC issued show cause notices to Gowtham Reddy after watching the promo of his interview on a vernacular media channel. This did not pacify the Kapu associations. They demanded his suspension from the party. Understanding the severity of the issue, the YSRC high command and leadership has taken up damage control measures. Any delay in the action would have invited agitation by the followers of Vangaveeti and Kapu associations. Sensing that the TD would take advantage of the situation, the YSRC reacted sharply on the issue.
A senior YSRC leader said the party did not have interest in Gowtham Reddy and so did not assign any responsibilities to him. "We had information that Gowtham Reddy was planning to leave the YSRC and join the BJP. Our party chief even contacted Mr Vangaveeti and assured him on taking action against Gowtham Reddy."
Mr Gowtham Reddy was not available to comment. Mr Gowtham Reddy's version is different. A close aide to Gowtham Reddy said as Vangaveeti Radha is blocking his political existence which he had complained to arty many times, and party ignoring it, the interview statements had misfired. When tried to contact Mr Gowtham Reddy he hadn't responded.
