Jyothula Venkata Appa Rao Nehru's re-entry into Telugu Desam shakes up local politics

Kakinada: Dissidence is rearing its head in the Telugu Desam in Jaggampet constituency after YSRC MLA Jyothula Venkata Appa Rao (Nehru) joined the party.

Earlier, the political battles used to be mainly between two families — Thota Narasimham (Congress) and Jyothula Nehru (TD) in Jaggampet constituency, a reflection of upland politics. After Mr Nehru joined the Praja Rajyam, his relative Jyothula Chantibabu entered politics by joining the TD.

In 2014, Thota Narasimham joined the TD and won from Kakinada Lok Sabha constituency, while Jyothula Chantibabu was defeated by Jyothula Nehru who contested on a YSRC ticket. Now, that Mr Nehru joined the TD, the party has been split into three groups.

Though the leaders display no emotions on the outside, the dissatisfaction among the cadre is all too evident. They said that they were at confrontation with each other in the villages till now taking a cue form their leaders and the party, but now they have to work together.

“We would not believe Jyothula Nehru as we have experienced some bitter experiences from him. Though he joined other parties, we remained with the TD. We are angry at Nehru. How can we work with his group,” said a TD worker.

The Nehru group had taken on the Thota Narasimham family in Veeravaram, the latter’s native, in local body elections. Now, after Mr Nehru rejoined the TD, his followers have not yet broken the ice with the Narasimham group, according to sources.

The Jyothula Chantibabu and Narasimham groups had been on the verge of getting their choices appointed in nominated posts. Now, there is a possibility that the Nehru group can influence the TD high command.

However, sources said that Mr Nehru is making efforts to meet their old followers and invite them to work along with him, but the Chantibabu group is averse to any such moves.