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HYDERABAD: The simmering differences within the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the Telangana issue came to the fore on Monday. In the presence of party president N Chandrababu Naidu, TDP's Telangana legislator Nagam Janardhan Reddy and other party MLAs from the region clashed both in the assembly and outside on Monday, indicating that Nagam was perhaps on his way out from the party.




Nagam, whos TDP Telangana Forum was disbanded by Naidu last week, played the lone champion of Telangana in the assembly on Monday and forced three adjournments. In what appeared to be a calculated move, he clashed with the other Telangana TDP MLAs first in the House and later outside. The TDP MLAs from Telangana wasted no time in hitting back at Nagam and by the afternoon, it was a free for all.



In clear indication that Nagam is all set to part ways with Naidu, the Nagarkurnool MLA told the media that the TDP chief had always been for united Andhra and against the creation of Telangana. "Naidu has been sending signals that the TDP is pro-united Andhra. I want to make it clear that successive governments including the TDP regime led by Naidu had done injustice to the Telangana region," Nagam said.



According to sources, Nagam was lured by TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao to join the latter's party and that he would be made working president of the TRS in case he is able to bring along with him at least 20 of the 39 TDP Telangana MLAs. "But it appears that Naidu sensed his moves and has virtually ensured that Nagam's grand plan is nipped in the bud," said party sources.



The sources said at least 20 TDP Telangana MLAs did play along with Nagam initially. "However, Naidu spoke to each of them individually and ensured that they do not go along with Nagam," they said. As a result, as of Monday, only three of the TDP T MLAs, A Uma Madhava Reddy (Bhongir), K Hareeshwar Reddy (Parigi) and Mahender Reddy (Tandur) are said to be sailing with Nagam.



By evening, Nagam skipped a TDP meeting chaired by Naidu on the council elections. "I will never leave the party. There is no question of joining the TRS or floating my own party," the MLA said. But indications from the Naidu camp was that Nagam's days in the TDP were clearly numbered.