The TDP ticket is almost certain for T Devender Goud for Rajya Sabha. We have earlier reported that C M Ramesh’s candidature was already finalized. TDP has enough MLAs to send two nominees to the RS.
The selection of Ramesh, the party vice-president, whose credentials within the party were more to do with his financial contributions than his political services, have already caused a stir within the party.
Now, picking Devender Goud, the jaded leader from Telangana, who left the party at a critical time only to return to the fold, is being frowned upon by many aspiring candidates in TDP.
“Ramesh’s selection is understandable, given that the party needs somebody who can support it during these financial straits. But why Devender Goud? He is a shadow of his former self with neither moral nor political charisma. Why does Chandrababu think that the party in Telangana would be strengthened by sending him to Rajya Sabha,” wondered a senior Telangana leader in the party.
The TDP supremo had to take lot of rap the last time when he gave the RS ticket to Sujana Chowdary. That move was widely criticized as a surrender of the party to the money bags. This time too, Ramesh’s nomination is being strongly condemned by many senior party leaders from Andhra region.
Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, a seasoned leader, was a hopeful. He had made his intentions clear when his announced that he would not contest in direct elections in future.
In Telangana, leaders like Aravind Kumar Goud and Talasani Srinivas Yadav were in the race. Aravind has been arguing with the party chief that if Devender Goud was nominated at this juncture, it would send wrong signals to the cadre that the party attaches little importance to those who stood by it during times of crisis.
Kodela Sivaprasad, Lal Jan Basha, Talasani and Dadi Veerabhadra Rao are among the leaders who expressed their unhappiness over the selection.
The formal announcement of candidates is likely to be made by Sunday evening. It is to be seen how the rank and file of the party would react to the nominations.
