Kesineni Nani, the Member of Parliament representing Vijayawada, has embarked on an intriguing political journey within the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). His relationship with the party, once marked by uncertainty, now seems to be back on track, causing a stir in Andhra Pradesh’s politics.

Nani became headache for TDP in last 4 years:

In June 2019, Nani was appointed as the party whip in the Lok Sabha by TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu, but Nani’s response was surprising . He publicly declined the appointment, albeit with humility. Since then, last 4 years he has criticisedTDP leadership several times in public. In March 2023 he declared his willingness to contest the next election under any party that resonated with his political ethos.

Several Speculations regarding Vijayawada MP ticket:

Speculation was rife that Nani might not secure a TDP ticket in the forthcoming elections, hinting at a potential shift in his allegiances. Earlier there were rumours that Nani’s brother Chinni might get TDP ticket in the next elections. Nani made public his disputes with his brother too. There were also rumours that TDP may rope in Lagadapati, who is hailed as Andhra Octopus for his accurate predictions of election outcomes, for the next election. There were also rumours about Nani joining YSRCP before 2024 elections.

Nani’s surprising comments today:

But the story took an unexpected turn today. In a recent announcement, Kesineni Nani clarified his commitment to the TDP, confirming that he will be contesting as an MP from the TDP Party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He will become MP for 3rd time from TDP. This decision was accompanied by effusive praise for TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu.

Nani is all praise for CBN today:

Nani extolled Naidu as one of the nation’s few untarnished political leaders, lauding his impeccable 40-year-long career. He addressed the ongoing I-T scrutiny directed at Naidu, expressing confidence that the seasoned leader would handle the matter deftly . His recent commitment to contest under the TDP banner in the forthcoming elections, along with his admiration for Naidu, suggests a renewed alignment with the party.

Nani’s conspicuous absence from party events over the past four years had fueled extensive speculation regarding his potential departure from the party. As time passed, these rumors began to carry more weight, causing many to believe that Nani’s exit was imminent. However, all doubts and uncertainties surrounding this matter were resolutely dispelled today by Nani’s latest statements. The future holds the answer as to whether Nani will secure a TDP ticket in the next election, or there may well be more unexpected twists to this unfolding story.

Vijayawada MP, Kesineni Srinivas, fired a salvo at TDP leadership ahead of the 2024 general election. He said he would not work for the party if his brother Kesineni Sivanadh or anyone with a criminal record is nominated.

He took strong exception to the party leadership promoting his brother Sivanadh and said that he would not agree with the strategy of the party leadership which, according to him, was splitting the families.

Kesineni said that he would continue to work for the people even if denied the party ticket from the Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency in the next election. “If required, I might also contest as an Independent and win the seat,” Kesineni asserted.

He further said that he would rope in several other national and international charitable organisations along with the Tata Trust and serve the people. He said that people would recognise his services and expressed confidence that they would bless him too in politics.

“I have done my best for the constituency in the last two terms. I will continue to do my best. That’s what Kesineni means,” he asserted.

It is said that TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh are entertaining Kesineni’s brother Sivanadh in Vijayawada politics. It is widely said that Chandrababu Naidu is favouring Sivanadh to contest the next election and had made up his mind to drop Kesineni Srinivas from the contest.

As he said, Srinivas may not remain silent if he is denied the ticket and would certainly play a spoilsport to the TDP in the constituency that might have an impact on seven Assembly constituencies.

Vijayawada MP, Kesineni Srinivas, alias Nani, is generating greater heat in the opposition TDP in Andhra Pradesh. While his entry into politics initially was controversial, his nomination for Vijayawada Lok Sabha seat by the TDP in 2014 too was equally controversial.

He continues the controversy in his second term as MP and is not on good terms with party chief N Chandrababu Naidu or general secretary Nara Lokesh. He is said to be unhappy with the way Lokesh is interfering with his Lok Sabha constituency.

Kesineni believes that Lokesh was behind the party leaders to revolt against him in Vijayawada. Party senior leaders like Buddha Venkanna, K Nagul Meera, Bonda Umamaheswara Rao and others have openly criticised Kesineni a year ago.

The MP did not meet Chandrababu Naidu for almost one year after his second victory in the 2019 elections. However, Chandrababu Naidu personally invited Kesineni and tried to pacify him. It was then, Naidu appointed Kesineni as the in-charge of the Vijayawada West Assembly constituency.

However, the gap continues for him in the party. The latest is that he feels that Lokesh is encouraging his brother, Kesineni Sivanadh alias Chinni in Vijayawada politics. Sivanadh is active in real estate business in Hyderabad and is said to be eyeing the Vijayawada Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 elections.

Kesineni Nani had now lodged a complaint with the Vijayawada and Hyderabad police alleging that some people were using fake stickers on their vehicles bearing his name. Following this, the police have registered a case and found that the car owned by his brother Sivanadh was having the sticker of Vijayawada MP. The police have also seized the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Kesineni Nani had lodged a complaint with the Parliament secretary alleging that his name and his identity were being forged and misused by some unidentified persons in the two Telugu States. He wanted the secretary of the Parliament to take action against such persons.

It is to be seen what turn this war between the brothers within the TDP would take in the days to come!

The Vijayawada’s Kesineni family is in the news this week for a wrong reason. The news is that the Kesineni brothers are in fighting mode. However, it is not clear whether the two are really at loggerheads.

Kesineni Srinivas alias Nani is the two-time Lok Sabha member from Vijayawada won on TDP ticket. His brother Kesineni Sivanath alias Chinni has been a successful realtor in Hyderabad. The siblings were on good terms until the news came that they had become poles apart.

It is a known fact that Nani is not happy with the party leadership and has been keeping away from the party activities. He was first disappointed with the leadership denying him the Parliamentary Party leadership after the 2019 elections. Later, he was upset with the party leadership not acting against his critics and rivals in the party in Vijayawada.

While former minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao is equally strong even after losing the 2019 elections, senior leaders K Nagul Meera and Buddha Venkanna have turned against Nani. They have even openly criticised Nani causing him embracement.

After these developments, Kesineni Nani has been inactive in the party. It is said that Nani’s indifferent attitude seems to have given a chance for the party leadership to set its eye on Nani’s brother Chinni and lure him with a better position in the party.

Sources say that Chandrababu Naidu and Lokesh have reportedly held talks with Chinni and have even offered the Lok Sabha seat if Nani refuses to contest. Perhaps this is the reason why Nani is said to have hinted at similar treatment to the Nara family or even the TDP leadership.

“I will give you what you give me. If my enemy is your friend, remember your enemy will be my friend.” This is what Kesineni Nani had said in a meeting with the party leaders indicating the intervention of Naidu and Lokesh in his family.

Politicians have different ways of saying “Tata bye bye” . Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani too has his own way of saying “tata TDP.” The MP, who is estranged with the TDP for quite some time, now appears to be planning to say final adieu.

Kesineni Nani is unhappy with Chandrababu for not addressing his grievances. He wants Chandrababu Naidu to take action against the troika of Bonda Uma, Buddha Venkanna and Nagul Meera. He feels that the troika had marred the chance of his daughter Shweta becoming the mayor of Vijayawada by sabotaging the party’s winning chances. To his dismay, Chandrababu is not responding at all, let alone initiate action against the threesome.

Recently, he has written a letter to Chandrababu saying that he and his daughter would not be available for the 2024 elections. He asked the party to look for another candidate. Interestingly, Chandrababu did not respond even to those threats.

So, on Monday, Nani first removed all the posters of the Telugu Desam from his office – the Kesineni Bhavan. All banners and posters of the party were taken off. The cut-outs of Nani with Chandrababu Naidu were also removed. Even inside the Kesineni Bhavan, all the party flags, posts, photographs and cutouts have been removed. Instead of Chandrababu, now a photograph of Kesineni Nani with Ratan Tata adorns the room.

This is Kesineni Nani’s way of saying “bye bye Tata” with a photograph of Ratan Tata.

Remember Butchaiah Chowdary’s resignation and revolt against TDP top boss Chandrababu Naidu? He raved and ranted but melted like ice when he met Chandrababu Naidu. He meekly mouthed his dedication and determination to work for the party. What looked like a storm ended up as a storm in the tea cup.

Is Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani’s decision not to contest in 2024 elections too is a storm in the teacup? Highly placed sources say that it is likely. Nani through a letter indicated that neither he nor his daughter Shweta would be interested in contesting the 2024 elections. He has also asked Chandrababu to look for an alternative to him. This created quite a commotion.

When he wrote this letter, he was out of station. As soon as he reached Vijayawada, his followers and supporters flocked to the Kesineni Bhavan demanding that he take back his letter. Nani told them that he would stand by them and that Kesineni Bhavan would always be open to them. The supporters told him that they cannot imagine a Vijayawada TDP without him. Nani did not give them any assurance but said he would consider his decision.

Sources say Kesineni Nani is upset over party leaders Bonda Uma and Buddha Venkanna for not cooperating with him in the VMC elections. He was showing his displeasure by talking about not contesting in 2024. Finally, the whole drama ended with Nani assuring his supporters that he is yet to take a decision. Thus ended the storm in the tea cup.

After Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani’s sudden announcement that neither he nor his daughter Shwetha would contest the election in 2024, it has emerged that many more MP candidates are of the same opinion. It is not just the opposition TDP leaders, but even the ruling YSRCP MPs too are disinclined to contest for the MP seat next time. It is another matter that they have not come out into the open with their opinion.

Kesineni Nani told Chandrababu Naidu to start looking for a suitable candidate for Vijayawada MP seat. Initially, it was thought that there was some kind if groupism in the TDP. One major reason for this is allegedly the rising cost of contesting an election. An MP candidate may have to shell out his fortune to contest. On an average, an MP constituency has six to seven assembly constituencies and thus, the cost of contesting for a Lok Sabha seat is an arduous task from the financial view point.

There is another issue, according to sources in the know. Ever since the BJP got an absolute majority, the dependence on the regional parties has come down. So, an MP post has no leverage whatsoever. With the governance centralized in the hands of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the MPs cannot influence any ministry or bureaucrat to get some project or some contract Thus the MPs are unable to take any advantage of their position as they used to do earlier.

Earlier, the MPs during the Congress regime had secured several contracts and projects in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and other states. One such MP from Rayalseema had earned so much that he had even become the CM of undivided Andhra Pradesh for two terms, according to sources. With that benefit removed due to Modi, the MP post has become unattractive, the sources say.