Internal Rift Deepens in Anantapur TDP
With the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led alliance government in power in Andhra Pradesh, internal differences within the party have intensified in the Anantapur Urban constituency. The political battle is no longer limited to the ruling and opposition parties, as a bitter “TDP vs TDP” conflict has emerged within the ruling party itself.
Former MLA Y. Prabhakar Chowdary has made serious allegations against sitting Anantapur Urban MLA Daggubati Venkateswara Prasad, turning the internal dispute into a major topic of discussion in state politics.
MLC Issue Adds Fuel to the Dispute
Party sources say the dispute intensified after Dalavai Ramadevi was appointed as an MLC under the Governor’s quota.
Prabhakar Chowdary’s supporters claim that the former MLA had sacrificed his seat in the 2024 elections following the party leadership’s instructions, with assurances that he would subsequently be given an MLC position. However, after Ramadevi was nominated to the Legislative Council, Prabhakar Chowdary was reportedly disappointed.
The situation allegedly worsened after supporters of the sitting MLA celebrated Ramadevi’s nomination on social media and made comments perceived as mocking Prabhakar Chowdary.
Allegations of Land Encroachment
Against this backdrop, Prabhakar Chowdary levelled serious allegations against MLA Daggubati Prasad.
He alleged that the MLA, along with relatives and supporters, had encroached upon lands worth approximately Rs 200 crore in Anantapur city. He specifically alleged that 7.5 acres of land in Bhairav Nagar had been illegally registered and occupied.
Prabhakar Chowdary further alleged that property belonging to Kancharla Kanakadurga was illegally transferred in the names of members of the MLA’s family. He claimed that he possesses documents relating to the alleged transactions.
He also alleged that when victims approached the police, cases were instead registered against them.
Allegations of Forced Collections
Prabhakar Chowdary also accused the MLA’s associates of allegedly collecting money from ordinary residents in the name of sand and gravel when they were constructing houses.
He claimed that the MLA’s relatives and supporters were exerting influence in the Sub-Registrar, Municipal and Tahsildar offices.
The former MLA further alleged that he possesses an audio recording in which a suspended Sub-Registrar allegedly spoke about having to make monthly payments to the MLA. These claims have not been independently established.
Allegation Involving a Tea Stall Owner
Prabhakar Chowdary also alleged that the MLA had assaulted a person named Raju, who runs a tea stall near Daiglas School.
The former MLA presented this allegation as another example of what he described as the alleged harassment of ordinary people in the constituency.
Rs 32 Crore Contract Allegation
Another major allegation concerns DV Infra, a company reportedly associated with the MLA’s wife.
Prabhakar Chowdary alleged that the company obtained contracts worth approximately Rs 32 crore under the Swachha Andhra Corporation, allegedly in violation of government rules.
He also claimed to possess audio recordings related to the tender process and said these recordings could support his allegations.
Claims of Harassment of Party Workers
The former MLA further alleged that party workers who had worked for the TDP for several years were being harassed, threatened and subjected to cases.
Prabhakar Chowdary said he had submitted around 1,000 pages of information relating to the alleged irregularities to TDP state president Palla Srinivas Yadav and other senior party leaders.
He also claimed to possess around 200 audio recordings as evidence.
Challenge to Chandrababu and Lokesh
Prabhakar Chowdary challenged the party leadership to conduct a public inquiry if necessary.
He said he was prepared to bring the alleged victims to Amaravati in two buses and present them before Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh for an open inquiry.
He also stated that he was not seeking an MLC or MP position and would continue to fight against alleged irregularities even as an ordinary party worker.
Party Leadership Faces a Test
The latest allegations have intensified the internal crisis within the Anantapur TDP, particularly at a time when other controversies involving MLA Daggubati Prasad have also been under political discussion.
The key question now is how the TDP leadership will respond to the allegations. Whether Chandrababu Naidu and Nara Lokesh will order an inquiry into the claims, or whether the dispute will be resolved internally, is being closely watched by political circles.
