Gudivada YSRC MLA Kodali Sri Venkateswar Rao alias Nani’s presence at a government function in Vijayawada has created sensation among political circles giving rise to the speculation that he is building bridges for his ‘home coming’.
The program was organized to inaugurate a veterinary super-speciality hospital in the town, built with the funds provided from MPLADS of Nandamuri Harikrishna, when he was Rajya Sabha member. It is well known that Nani and Harishna were good friends. What observers point out that the friendship doesn’t warrant his attendance at a function where only TDP ministers, MLAS and leaders were present.
Though Nani says he has attended the function as his ‘guru’ Harikrishna had provided funding and the hospital named after NT Ramarao. The Gudivada MLA has also asserted that he would remain with YSRC president Jagan as long as he is alive. But the political turmoil the YSRC facing in the state forces one to search for other meaning of his participation. Many say he is preparing ground to stage a comeback. If true, it is a rude shock to Jagan.
The current political situation is a throwback to what happened in 2012.
Kodali Nani, then TDP MLA, gave a rude shock to Chandrababu Naidu in July 2012, when he suddenly showed up at Chanchalguda jail where YSRCP president Jaganmohan Reddy was lodged. He came along with another MLA Vangaveeti Radhakrishna, to convey to Jagan his willingness to join YSRC. Earlier they met Jagan’s mother Vijayalakshmi and took her blessings. Within minutes, he was suspended from the party by TDP leadership. Nani Joined the YSRCP at a time when TDP was witnessing large-scale exodus. The party already had lost 6 MLAs and strength in Assembly (United Andhra Pradesh) had come down to 86 from 92. Nani brought this down to 85.
Now YSRCP is passing through a similar situation. Its losing MLAs to TDP . Already 8 MLAs and an MLC left the party. Two more are quitting Jagan in the next ten days. Nani’s presence at the TDP meeting assumes significance against this backdrop.
