In a rude shock to Telugu Desam Party in general and its MLA from Hindupur in Anantapur district Nandamuri Balakrishna in particular, its senior leader Abdul Ghani resigned from the primary membership of the party on Saturday.
Ghani, who represented Hindupur in the past and was said to be a close loyalist of Balakrishna, joined YSR Congress party in the presence of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy at Srikakulam during the latter’s Praja Sankalpa Yatra. Jagan invited him into the party.
Speaking to the media later, Ghani alleged that TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu had done nothing for the minorities in his four and half years rule.
He said that he had not got any respect in the TDP in the last four and half years. He said that Balakrishna had never cared about the constituency and public.
Ghani served as MLA from Hindupur during 2009-14. He said he had sacrificed the seat to Balakrishna on the request of Naidu in 2014.
Despite of working hard for the party in the constituency, Balakrishna never recognised his services, he claimed.
Stating that he had joined the TDP after taking inspiration from party founder N T Rama Rao, Ghani said the present circumstances in the party had forced him to leave it.
He said that he was ready to contest in the ensuing general elections against Balakrishna and expressed confidence of winning the seat.
He also observed that there was a local and non-local feeling among public, which would help him to win in the coming elections.