TDP Internal Fights Over Contracts And Commissions Out In The Open

Kadapa: A day after Leader of Opposition YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the TDP party survives on commissions and contracts from welfare projects, the ruling party leaders fought it out in the open for a pie of Gandikota reservoir rehabilitation project works.

During the Praja Sankalpa Yatra in Prakasam district, on Sunday, the YSRCP chief said that the chief minister and the TDP cadre are more concerned about commissions than the welfare of the common man. Proving him right, on Monday, followers of TDP leaders CM Ramesh, minister Adi Narayana Reddy and Ramasubba Reddy clashed over the tenders for the rehabilitation works. It may be recalled that the state government had called for tenders to execute works for a rehabilitation colony for those displaced by the Gandikota reservoir project. In this regard, the groups loyal to minister Adi Narayana Reddy and Ramasubba Reddy formed a syndicate. On receipt of the formation of a syndicate, TDP's Rajya Sabha member CM Ramesh stopped the tender process. This angered the syndicate members who went on a rampage and destroyed the furniture and computers at Ramesh's office. They also threatened workers to immediately stop road-laying works undertaken by Ramesh. The attack created tense atmosphere in several parts of Kadapa, in particular, the few strongholds of the Telugu Desam Party.

This issue comes in the backdrop of local TDP leaders expressing unhappiness with the party top brass, that projects and tenders are being given to Ramesh who does not belong to the district. The local leaders are demanding a share in the tenders called for various welfare programmes. It may be recalled that during a public meeting in Kandukuru of Prakasam district, on Sunday, YSRCP president YS Jagan said that chief minister Chandrababu Naidu is more focused on commissions through sand, liquor and realty contracts than the welfare of the people.