If the reports doing rounds in a section of media are true, senior Telugu Desam Party leader and former union minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju might quit the party sooner or later.
According to these reports, Raju has been sulking for quite some time over the lack of importance to him by party president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu over several important political decisions taken, especially with regard to the selection of candidates in north coastal Andhra.
Raju, who has been associated with the TDP since 1983 and is much more senior to Naidu in the party, raised many eyebrows by skipping the politburo meeting of the party on Saturday.
He was also conspicuous by his absence at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Bhogapuram airport in Vizianagaram district last week.
The former Union minister’s absence led to the speculations that he has been extremely unhappy with the developments in the party.
Particularly, he was upset for not being consulted by Naidu before deciding to admit his political rival Y Kishore Chandra Deo, a senior Congress leader and another former Union minister, into the TDP.
“Apparently, it has not gone down well with Raju, who felt that the TDP chief is not giving much importance to him in the party. He is contemplating quitting the party sooner or later,” a report said.
However, it is not immediately known whether Ashok will join any other party or retire from politics.
His daughter Aditi Gajapathi Raju, who has been presently involved in serious social work, is keen on contesting the coming general elections.
It is not clear from which party she will contest and for what seat – Lok Sabha or state assembly.
Raju’s niece Sanchaita Gajapathi Raju has already joined the Bharatiya Janata Party a few months ago.
She is the daughter of former minister and TDP leader P Ananda Gajapathi Raju, who passed away in 2013 and is said to be keen on contesting the elections.
It is not known whether Ashok will also join the BJP sooner or later, as he was promised the Governor’s post if the NDA comes to power at the Centre again.