Strong backward class leader from Visakhapatnam district, Konathala Ramakrishna, is all set to join the ruling Telugu Desam party. Till 2014 elections, he was one of the close aides of YSR Congress president YS Jaganmohan Reddy. Following differences with Jagan, he quit the party and disappeared from the radar. But, in mid 2015, BJP tried to woo him into the saffron party. But, suddenly today, accompanied by former Congress MLA Gandi Babji, Ramakrishna met TDP president and chief minister Chandrababu Naidu today. Panchayat Raj minister Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu is said to have arranged the meeting. Many say, after Bihar debacle, Ramakrishna has changed tack and decided to join the TDP.
The reason for leaving YSRC is: Jagan allowed the then TDP leader and MLC Dadiverabhabra Rao join YSRC, who incidentally was Ramakrishna’s rival in local politics in Anakapalli. Now, it is seen by many as Naidu’s move to cut HRD minister Ganta Srinivasarao to size. Anakapalli Assembly is known for triangular politics among Konathala, Dadi and Ganta. While in 2004 Konathala, as Congress nominee defeated Dadi, in 2009 Ganta, then in PRP, wrested the seat defeating both Konathala and Dadli. To checkmate Ganta in the district, Ayyannapatrudu is said have persuaded Konathala to join the TDP. He succeeded in arranging a meeting between Naidu and Konathala today. Konathala comes from a numerically strong Gavara Community from the area. When in Congress he was a protégé of YS Rajasekhar Reddy. He won Anakapalli Lok Sabha constituency twice, 1989-91 and 1991-1996. He is expected to join the TDP after Sankranti.
