In what can be considered a rude shock to Telugu Desam Party president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, former Union minister Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy on Tuesday took a complete U-turn on his plans to join the TDP.
Speaking to media in Kurnool, Kotla denied the media reports that he was joining the TDP.
“There is no truth in the reports that my family is joining the TDP. Some media houses carried reports that I have already joined the TDP.
It is true that we have inclined towards the TDP on certain conditions that the government should complete major irrigation projects pending in Kurnool, as per the wishes of my followers,” he said.
At the same time, Kotla also said it was not just from the TDP that he had received invitation.
“I have got offers even from YSR Congress party. I have not taken any decision yet,” he said.
Interestingly, it was only last week that Kotla, along with his wife and ex-MLA Kotla Sujatha and son Raghavendra Reddy met Naidu over dinner at his Vundavalli residence.
He is learnt to have asked for TDP ticket for Kurnool LS seat for himself and assembly seat for his wife from Dhone and for his son from Aluru assembly constituency.
While Naidu agreed for Kotla’s demand for Kurnool LS seat, he did not give any specific assurance on the MLA tickets to Sujatha and Raghavendra. Perhaps, that led to Kotla developing second thoughts on joining the TDP.
It remains to be seen whether they have got any specific assurance from YSRC. In any case, Kotla’s U-turn is a big setback for Naidu!