It appears TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has decided to take a final call on party MLA and former minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao. Chandrababu is said to be determined to deal with Ganta firmly. He has summoned him to a party meeting of key office-bearers. If he fails to make it to the meeting, he might as well be sidelined in the party. Sources say that Chandrababu is planning to announce a replacement for Ganta as party incharge for Vizag North constituency if the former skips the meeting.
Ganta has been a major headache for the TDP after the 2019 election results were out. Soon after the TDP lost power, Ganta lost interest in the party affairs. He almost fell silent, rarely appearing in party programmes. He did not call on Chandrababu, when the latter came on a visit to Vizag. Even when Chandrababu’s wife Bhuvaneswari was insulted in the assembly, Ganta did not stir out.
At the same time, he made several attempts to join either the YSRCP or the BJP. Then, he sent his resignation as an MLA opposing the proposed privatization of the Vizag Steel Plant. But, he never insisted on his resignation being accepted by the Speaker. Of late, Ganta is actively involved in Kapu politics and attended several meetings in Hyderabad and other places.
So, will Ganta attend Friday’s important meeting at Amaravati or skip it? But, TDP insiders say that if he skips the meeting, Chandrababu might appoint another incharge for the Vizag north constituency to prepare for the 2024 elections. Let’s wait and see what Ganta will do!
