‘Latecomers’ into the party are calling the shots in TRS now. KCR is the undisputed leader in TRS and everyone in the party agrees that no one can ‘influence’ KCR.
But the recent developments in TRS are presenting a contrasting picture.
Earlier, those who were associated with KCR for decades in his political career or those who worked with KCR during Telangana statehood agitation used to get priority in TRS.
But this trend seems be no more visible in TRS. For instance, ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav and Chamakura Malla Reddy.
Both defected from TDP to TRS in 2015. Both are nowhere associated with Telangana agitation.
Talasani became minister in KCR’s cabinet in first term itself even when he was continuing as TDP MLA. Talasani retained minister post again in second term when several of his senior cabinet colleagues could not.
Malla Reddy became minister recently in KCR’s cabinet in second term.
Now both these leaders secured TRS Lok Sabha ticket for their wards.
Talsanis secured Secunderabad Lok Sabha ticket to his son Saikiran while Malla Reddy secured Malkajgiri Lok Sabha ticket for his son in law Marri Rajasekhar Reddy.
At a time, when leaders like AP Jithender Reddy, Nayani Narasimha Reddy, T Padma Rao Goud etc who are associated with Telangana agitation, TRS and KCR for years, they could not secure tickets or posts from KCR for themselves or for their wards.
But Malla Reddy and Talasani, who are latecomers into Telangana could walk away with ‘double dhamaka’.
TRS old timers are seniors wonder how Talasani and Malla Reddy could ‘influence’ KCR, which was not possible for them despite working with him for several years.