The CM called on former Government Advisor and Rajya Sabha Member K V P Ramachandra Rao, seemingly to seek his help in luring back Jagan supporters.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday proved true the saying that there are no permanent friends or foes in politics, by calling on former Government Advisor and Rajya Sabha Member K V P Ramachandra Rao at his residence in Banjara Hills, seemingly to seek his help in luring back Congress MLAs who are looking at YSR Congress Party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy with fond hopes.
Kiran Kumar Reddy's visit to KVP's residence, described by the Chief Minister's Office as a 'courtesy call', lasted for nearly one and half hour.
The CMO said that the Chief Minister had visited K V P Ramachandra Rao since he has been ill for some time. However, the duration of the meeting set a lot of tongues in motion, with even the most inexperienced scribe seeing that there was something more at stake than a 'courtesy call.'
The meeting comes at a time when political activity is picking up in preparation for the monsoon session of the Assembly set to begin in August. The main Opposition Telugu Desam Party has already indicated that it plans to introduce a no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister on farmers' issues, in the session.
According to highly-placed sources, Sunday's meeting between Kiran Kumar Reddy and KVP saw the 2 leaders discuss the strategy to be adopted by the ruling party in the Assembly if the TDP introduces the no-trust vote.
The sources further say that the Chief Minister sought suggestions from KVP, regarded as a wily politician by all parties, on the steps to be taken to bring back MLAs who are allegedly supporting YSR Congress Party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, into the Congress fold.
The significance of Sunday's meeting is that the Chief Minister is believed to be very firm in his desire that the dissident MLAs should be prevented from taking part in the YSR Congress Party's maiden plenary session scheduled to be held on July 8 and 9.
Kiran Kumar Reddy is said to have confided in some senior party leaders that the dissident MLAs should not only not take part in the plenary session, but they should also not even be allowed anywhere near Jaganmohan Reddy in the days preceding the session.
Meanwhile, analysts opine that the Chief Minister, worried about the possible growth in the popularity of the Congress party's newest acquisition, Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi, has sought the help of KVP.
It may be mentioned here that KVP had played a major role in the government during the tenure of former chief ministers Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and K Rosaiah.
However, Kiran Kumar Reddy, well aware of the power held by KVP at that time, had marginalised him after his assuming the Chief Minister's chair. He had, in fact, asked KVP to resign as the Government Advisor as soon as he assumed charge.
Meanwhile, sources say that the meeting also focused on strengthening the party at the mandal-level and filling up nominated posts with loyal workers. (INN)