Tummala's induction may strengthen TRS in Khammam
Hyderabad, Dec 16 (INN): Khammam strongman and former minister Tummala Nageshwara Rao on Tuesday joined the cabinet of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.
Tummala, who defected from the TDP to TRS on September 5, is an old friend of KCR and is considered one of the most experienced politicians of Telangana.
He was elected to the Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly thrice from Sathupalli constituency. However, he shifted to Khammam seat in 2014 elections and lost to Puvvada Ajay Kumar of Congress party. He had served as a minister for Major Irrigation and Excise in Nara Chandrababu Naidu's cabinet.
By inducting Tummala as a minister in his cabinet, KCR has played a master-stroke to establish the supremacy of TRS in Khammam district and also to bring Kamma community closer to the party.
The Khammam district proved to be the weakest area for the TRS in 2014 general elections. Out of 10 Assembly segments in the district, the TRS was able to win just one seat of Kothagudem where Jalagam Venkat Rao won the elections by defeating his nearest rival K Satyanarayana of TDP.
Except for Pinapaka seat, where TRS candidate Shanker Naik lost to P Venkateshwarlu of YSRCP by a margin of a little over 14,000 votes, the TRS failed to register its presence in eight other seats of Yellandu, Khammam, Paleru, Madhira, Wyra, Sathupally, Aswaraopeta and Bhadrachalam.
In view of this dismal performance, Chandrashekar Rao adopted an indirect strategy to strengthen the TRS in Khammam district. While launching 'Operation Akarshan', the TRS started inducting MLAs, MLCs and other leaders belonging to Congress, YSRCP and TDP into its fold. Tummala's induction into the State cabinet on Tuesday may prove to be the best move by the Chief Minister to establish the domination of TRS in Khammam district.
Further, Tummala's entry might please the Kamma community which exists in large numbers in Khammam, Warangal, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Hyderabad.
Speaking to media persons after taking oath as minister, Tummala thanked the Chief Minister for his selection and assured that he would play an active role in realising the KCR's dream of 'Bangaru Telangana'.
News Posted: 16 December, 2014
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