Senior YCP leader and former MLA Karanam Balaram is said to be attempting to change the party along with his son Venkatesh in view of changing political scenario in the state. His recent close interaction with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at a programme said to be indicating his strong desire to swing into the ruling party.
He has had a close association with Chandrababu Naidu for decades and only through him he joined TDP in early 80s. He was elected as TDP MLA from Chirala in 2019. But YS Jaganmohan Reddy became Chief Minister soon after he also shifted the party, without resigning as MLA. In the last elections his son Venkatesh contested from there and was defeated.
Earlier, he was MLA from Addanki and also was Ongole MP for one term. During NT Rama Rao’s era, when Daggubati Venkateswara Rao was dominating TDP politics in both Prakasam and Guntur districts, Balaram was known as a close associate of Chandrababu Naidu.
His rivalry with present minister and Addanki MLA Gottipati Ravi Kumar and also former MLA Dr Bachina Garataiah, he was forced to shift his constituency from Addanki to Chirala in 2014. For a long time both Garataiah and Balaram used to change parties from TDP to Congress against each other. Dr Garataiah also recently joined TDP, but Gottipati Ravi Kumar’s hold in Addanki constituency seems to be intact.
Both Garataiah and Balaram are worried about the political fortunes of their sons and are attempting to find some space within the TDP. But, it is yet to be seen how far TDP can accommodate both of them with suitable official positions?
Anyhow, in the wake of the latest developments, it is believed that both Karanam Balaram’s father and son Venkatesh are likely to start their political journey together with a new party. They seem to be waiting for a positive signal from Chandrababu Naidu.
