TDP Boss Worried As Nimmala, Palle Fight It Out Over Puttaparthi Civic Chief

Internal bickerings are proving to be ruling TDP's nemesis in Anantapur district. The party leadership is worried over the factionalism in the party.

Already the party is beset with problems over MP JC Diwakar Reddy and MLA Prabhakar Chowdary. Both are fighting for supremacy and at one stage, JC had even threatened to resign from the MP post. Chowdary and Reddy factions are fighting over stone-laying ceremonies to developmental works. Even in the Penugonda area, there are problems between Paritala Sunitha faction and Dharmavaram MLA Gonugutla Suryanarayana. Sunitha wants Dharmavaram seat in the 2019 election for her son Paritala Sriram, while Suryanarayana is staunchly opposing what he feels is an "intrusion.''

To add to the woes of the party, Hindupur MP Nimmala Kristappa and Puttaparthi MLA Palle Raghunatha Reddy have locked horns over the issue of Puttaparthi municipal chairperson's post. Both former ministers and both heavyweights, Kristappa and Reddy are accusing each other on the issue. This has become a major headache for party chief Chandrababu Naidu in this politically sensitive district.

Trouble began on the issue of change of Puttaparthi Municipal Chairman Ganganna. According to reports, Ganganna was suspended from the party under Palle Raghunatha Reddy Reddy's pressure. Kristappa wants annuling of the suspension and reinstatement of Ganganna.

A section of leaders have alleged that Raghunath Reddy was promoting his community and the MP is supporting another powerful faction. Cold war between the two leaders reached unmanageable proportions and the TDP finds itself on a sticky wicket in the region. Till now, Chandrababu Naidu has not done anything to douse the fires.