Date:15/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/15/stories/2008031560380600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Vidyadhara Rao not to quit TDP

Staff Reporter

ELURU: TDP former Minister Kotagiri Vidyadhara Rao on Friday expressed his wish to leave his political future to his cadres. “When I am failing to live up to expectations of my followers, I have to act as per their mood,” Mr. Rao, a senior Telugu Desam Party leader, told The Hindu in an interview, amid speculations over his joining the new party likely to be floated by megastar Chiranjeevi.

He recalled that he fought his maiden election in 1984 and won it as an independent candidate and survived in politics till date because of his strong following in his native Chintalapudi Assembly constituency.

Differences

“I owe to my cadres and take any crucial political decision only in consultation with them,” he said.

He admitted that he was having strong differences with TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu on matters pertaining to the district party.

“I am charged with promoting groupism in the party in the district by a section of leaders and my leader took them by word,” he said.

Mr. Vidyadhara Rao, a vocal leader in the district, said he was maintaining a low-profile for quite some time as he had great respect for his leader.

“The district top brass has sidelined me and humiliated me due to the decisions taken by Mr. Naidu in their favour on contentious issues, he added.

However, he treaded with caution while fielding questions on his possibility of joining the party likely to be floated by Chiranjeevi.

Changing loyalties

Describing the media reports about his changing loyalties in favour of the megastar as mere speculation, Mr. Vidyadhara Rao maintained, “I do have great respect for Mr. Chiranjeevi who was honoured with the Padmabhushan award by the government and was actively involved in social activities. But I do not want to answer any hypothetical questions before he floats a party,” he said.

Asked whether Mr. Chiranjeevi could fill the present political vacuum, he said, “It all depends on his initiatives and the public response. Questioned on his remaining in the TDP, he said, “There is no political alternative; the question of my deserting the party will not arise,” he said.