Top PRP leaders planning to quit

April 6, 2009

With two top leaders contemplating quitting the party and a few State-level leaders expressing discontent over ticket distribution, a crisis seems to be brewing in the Praja Rajyam Party.

Party political affairs committee members Kotagiri Vidyadhara Rao and KSR Murthy are reportedly planning to resign from the party in a day or two. The two leaders have been staying away from the media, buttressing the reports about their quitting.

According to sources, Vidyadhara Rao is angry over denial of party tickets to his followers. While he had asked for five tickets, he could get only one for himself.

Another top leader KSR Murthy who expected ticket for the Amalapuram Parliamentary constituency is upset over the party chosing Malamahanadu former leader Pramila Devi for the seat.

Vidyadhara Rao is reportedly discussing with his followers the future course of action. According to sources, the fact that leaders like Devendar Goud, Kasani Gnaneswar and Bhuma Nagireddy managed to get tickets for their aides had added insult to his injury.

Meanwhile, party spokesperson Vasireddy Padma is also thinking to put in her papers as neither she nor her husband John Wesley were given tickets.

Speaking to mediapersons, she said, “Even though my husband and I have worked hard for the party, we have not been given tickets. Party president Chiranjeevi seems to have denied tickets to us basing on some wrong feedback he got.’’ PRP Doctors’ Forum leader Dr Samaram too is angry for being denied the Vijayawada Central ticket. “Loafers are being given tickets,” Samaram said.

Leaders from Rayalaseema, Masala Eeranna and M Sudershan, meanwhile, are continuing their fast before the party office here. Even though Eeranna was shifted to a hospital in the afternoon, he returned after an hour to continue his stir.

Shobha Rani, president of the party women’s wing, Mahila Rajyam, is also angry with the leadership for allotting the Vemuru ticket to Kathi Padmarao.

She expressed her dissatisfaction about it openly.

The allegations of SC leaders like Kotagiri and Dr Samaram are likely to dent the image of the party and its social justice principle. Their exit, apart from distancing the SC voters, will also be a big embarrassment as the two leaders have been working closely with Chiranjeevi ever since he announced his political entry.

Though no top leader of the party has yet come out openly on the crisis brewing within, Chiranjeevi is likely to answer some of the questions when he meets the press tomorrow.

Source: http://www.andhrarajakeeyam.com/2009/04/top-prp-leaders-planning-to-quit-2/