Etala likely to float new party if axed

Keeps everyone guessing about his next move

Former minister Etala Rajendar is likely to take some more time before deciding on resigning from the Assembly. Indications are that he may float a new party if the TRS leadership sacks him from the party after receiving a report from the committee of IAS officers.

Meanwhile, several leaders including former MP Konda Vishweswar Reddy and former MLA Enugu Ravinder Reddy met Eatala and expressed their support and sympathy.

Sources said that the two leaders who met Etala have no immediate plans for a political party. They will await the action that is likely to be taken by party chief, K Chandrasekhar Rao.

Close aides of Etala stated that the two senior leaders tried impress upon him not to take any hasty decision with regard to resigning from the party and Assembly. And they also informed him that both are trying to convince the Chief Minister for a re-think on action against Etala, who is keeping his cards close to his chest.

Rajendar is suspecting that some of the leaders who were expressing their support over phone or in person, could be informers planted by the party leadership to keep it posted about his future course of action. This reportedly is the reason Rajendar is not discussing his plans.

Sources said that if the party sacks him then he can resign as MLA. In case he does not, then the party can appeal to the Speaker for action against Etala, on the grounds that he had ‘flouted’ the party constitution.

Some Congress leaders maintain good relations with Rajendar and they have urged him to Congress in case TRS sacks him. Party working president and MP, A. Revanth Reddy has already him. Rajender sent messages to several leaders, including Prof Kodanda Ram, Teenmar Mallanna, Cheruku Sudhakar and others to support him if by-elections happen.

The party may field Planning Commission vice-chairman and former MP, B Vinod Kumar for Huzurabad by-poll if it is necessitated.