The speculation in the TDP circles is that Jyothula Nehru, who recently crossed over to TDP from YSR Congress would be inducted into cabinet.According to media reports cabinet berth is the part of the deal the TDP struck with Nehru to ditch Jaganhmohan Reddy. Jyothula Nehru is a Kapu leader from East Godavari district. His recent assertion that he did not join TDP for money is giving credence to the talk that instead of ‘financial assistance’ he has chosen the cabinet berth to join the TDP. If Nehru were to be taken as minister, the district would have two heavy weights, the other being finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu.
Can the TDP afford to offer to ministers from same district, even though East Godavari is an important district, in view Kapu politics?
Media reports are not in favor of Yanamala Ramakrishnudu. They are speculating that he would be shunted out of the cabinet. Though it looks far fetched on the face of it, it can’t be totally ruled out as anything can happen in politics. Media reports say Yanamala is not able to the handle the district TDP politics ably. The district TDP committee has been without head ever since Parvata Chittibabu passed away in March. So far no attempts have been made to appoint successor to Chittibabu. They say the party leadership doesn’t want to be influenced by the sole power centre of the district ie Yanamala. Now that Jyothula Nehru has joined the party, and he has a strong following, Party president wants to consult him as well in the appointment of district unit president, much to the disappointment of Yanamala, party sources said.
Many party leaders are of the opinion that entry of Jaggampeta MLA Nehru is sure to change the complexion of the district politics, which has been controlled by Yanamala family till now.
One option before the TDP leadership is to shift Yanamala to Delhi as Rajya Sabha member to avoid friction in the district politics. Yanamala has been harboring the idea of going to Rajya Sabha for quite some time. Earlier he used to talk about it in public. He would stand a chance of becoming union minister in the place of YS Chowdary whose term is coming to an end. Above all, as a Rajya Sabha member he will have no headache of facing the elections in 2019. He can enjoy the stature of being a member of the Upper House for six years.
