Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s admission of senior Congress leader and MLC Mohammad Jani into Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has fuelled group war in Guntur. The Chief Minister was intended to improve party’s reach to Muslim community, who are allegedly keeping away from the party since he is sailing with the BJP.

It may be recalled that not a single Muslim candidate fielded by TDP had won in 2014 elections. As elections are coming close and he is intended to continue his association with BJP, he has started making desperate efforts to attract Muslim leaders.

Moreover, Jani is a vocal leader form Muslim minorities in Guntur district and a former Legislative Council Deputy Chairman. Chandrababu Naidu hopes that he would be helpful to gain influence among minorities.

However, his admission was not taken light by former TDP MLA SM Ziauddhin, brother of party’s politburo member late Lal Jan Basha in Guntur. It may be recalled that Ziauddhin had won to the legislative assembly twice by defeating Jani only. As he was denied party seat last time, he is now expecting for party’s nomination as MLC.

But, he is now seems to be distressed with the entry of Jani fearing that he would be his competitor to become MLC. Sensing threat for his own political survival, indicating signs of discontent before Jani’s entry, he gave vent to his feeling of displeasure with party AP president K Kala Venkata Rao.

Stating that his family is loyal to the TDP for more than two and half decades, he has reportedly asked how he can sail with leaders who were his rivals till now. In both Guntur and Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituencies Muslims voters having influential presence. That makes N T Rama Rao to field Laljan Basha in 1991 polls to defeat veteran Congress leader Acharya N G Ranga from Guntur.

Though Chandrababu Naidu efforts of `Muslim Akasrh’ may work to some extend in favour of the party prospects in the forthcoming elections, TDP circles fears that defections may upset balance of power within the party.