As expected, Telangana Telugu Desam Party president and senior Backward Classes leader Kasani Gyaneshwar on Monday resigned from the party in protest against the decision of the party not to contest the assembly elections in Telangana to be held on November 30.
Gyaneshwar, who had a meeting with TDP president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Rajahmundry central jail on Saturday, was disturbed with the party’s decision not to field the candidates in the Telangana elections.
In a letter sent to Naidu, Gyaneshwar said he was terribly upset with the party president’s decision, despite the fact that the party has fair chances of winning a few seats in the elections.
He said he would soon announce his future course of action. In all probability, he might join the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, sources said.
Apparently, Naidu told him that the party was in deep crisis and it was not in a position to contest the Telangana assembly elections at this stage.
He made it clear that no senior leader was in a position to campaign in Telangana and any defeat in these elections would have a major impact on Andhra elections as well.
Gyaneshwar hails from Mudiraj community, which is looking for some representation in the state assembly.
In the last two days, two strong leaders from this community – Etra Sekhar from Jadcherla and P Chandrasekhar from Mahabubnagar – joined the BRS.
If Gyaneshwar also joins the BRS, the party would get considerable support from the community, which is upset after KCR sacked Eatala Rajender from the party two years ago.
Gyaneshwar is of the view that the TDP would be in a position to win at least three or four seats in Telangana, because of the cadre base and support from the youth and also Kamma community.