Khammam: The tussle between TS transport minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar and Sattupalli MLA Sandra Venkata Veeraiah over the appointment of TRS Khammam district president is getting curious by the day.
Sandra Venkata Veeraiah is sponsoring Vaddiraju Ravichandra, a granite trader, to the post. Ravi, who had close association with Veeraiah for two decades, joined the TRS at the instance of the Sattupalli MLA. Ajay did not want Ravi in the post and named Gundala Krishna.
In case Krishna's name is opposed by the high command, Ajay propose Kamarthapu Murali.
Ajay had already constituted all the party committees in villages and wards in Khammam Assembly segment and every post was given based on his choice. Pagadala Nagaraju is the TRS president of Khammam town and Veeru Naik chief of Raghunathapalem mandal. All ward and village committees in the segment have been constituted and announced.
Party sources said the minister is now trying to have his say on the selection of TRS district president. But, he is facing resistance from Veeraiah and other TRS leaders. Zilla Parishad chairperson Kamalraj and Palair MLA Upender Reddy are extending their support to Ajay. At the same time, former MP Srinivasa Reddy and Wyra MLA Ramulu Naik are in favour of Vaddiraju Ravichandra, a Kapu leader, who had unsuccessfully contested on a Congress ticket from Warangal East.
Interestingly, Tummala Nageswara Rao is not opposing the names being proposed by Ajay Kumar. Sources said the TRS high command has given enough hints on selecting the party district president. A free hand will not be given to any leader in this, like MLAs in their Assembly segments. As per the TRS procedures, MLAs were given full powers in constituting village and mandal party committees.
The TRS’s high command will consider the opinions of party senior leaders in the selection of district president. Ravichandra may be picked up in one scenario, a TRS leader felt.
On the other hand, Tullur Brahmaiah, a Kamma leader, will be given a chance for Bhadradri-Kothagudem district president post. The party may give a chance to a Kamma from either Khammam or Bhadradri district.
