After Kesineni's outburst, It's Ravi's turn now

Hyderabad: Even as Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was counselling Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas alias Nani for his outburst against Irrigation Minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, the ongoing rift between party MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao and ex-MLA Yelamanchili Ravi in the city came to the fore on Saturday, exposing the simmering differences among the ruling party's leaders in Krishna district.

Much to the chagrin of the party leadership, TDP leader Ravi openly hurled choicest invective's at Vijayawada East MLA Gadde Rammohan Rao. In an indirect attack at Rao, Ravi alleged that some leaders in the party were adopting a vengeful attitude towards him ever since he had joined the TDP. He said he would make public all the irregularities of Rao.

Ravi, who entered into an argument with police officials for removing a party banner greeting people on the occasion of New Year at Rythu Bazaar in Vijayawada and blamed Rao for it.

Alleging that the MLA was behind the irregularities, which have taken place in Rythu Bazaar, Ravi said, 'In place of the people allocated the shops, others were found sitting. When I went to enquiry about it, officials there acted carelessly. All of it has been done at the behest of the MLA,' he said.

Stating that such attitude of Ramamohan Rao will bring disrepute to the party, he said he would lodge a complaint with the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his visit to Vijayawada in couple of days. 'If needed, I will go to Hyderabad to explain the situation to him,' he added.

Kesineni gets a dressing down

Meanwhile, Chief Minister and TDP president Naidu is learnt to have severely reprimanded Nani for embarrassing the party by openly attacking Uma. Nani, who had made serious remarks against Uma, called on Naidu in Hyderabad. Naidu reportedly expressed anger at Nani for publicly airing his resentment.

According to sources, Nani told Naidu how Devineni group was ignoring him and his supporters while taking decision with regard to implementation of various welfare programmes in his constituency. He also complained to Naidu that officials were not listening to him and were not taking his suggestion for consideration.

According to sources, Naidu expressed his displeasure over the growing rivalry between the two groups and advised them to resolve the issue in the party forum rather than expressing their views in public.

Naidu is said to be planning to convene a meeting with the district MPs, MLAs and ministers during the first week of January, to sort out differences, the source added.

Later, speaking to reporters, Nani said he had explained to the party chief about the incident and in what circumstances he had made those remarks. He said Naidu had asked him to refrain from making comments on party and party leaders in public.