The Hindu : Ramamurthy Naidu joins issue with brother on `family rule'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Ramamurthy Naidu joins issue with brother on `family rule'

By Our Special Correspondent

TIRUPATI Dec. 9. Nara Ramamurthy Naidu, the younger brother of the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is in a tiff with him over his alleged sidelining in party affairs in their native Chandragiri constituency today sought to clarify the `family rule' factor which the Chief Minister cited as the reason for his decision to sideline him.

It may be recalled that the Chief Minister who was on a hectic tour in his Kuppam constituency during the weekend at a media conference said that he was sidelining his brother because he did not want to be criticised by his detractors that he was encouraging `family rule'.

But Mr. Ramamurthy Naidu at a press conference here did not seem to quite agree with his brother's contention, and sought to clarify that the `family rule' factor would not arise in his case.

Arguing his point, the CM's sibling pointed out that the question of `family rule' would arise only when there are two contenders in the Chandragiri constituency for the post of party convenor but still the Chief Minister made him (Ramamurthy) the convenor ignoring the other though he enjoyed a wider cadre support with a better track record.

But it is not so in the case of Chandragiri where, he argued, there were no two contenders and on the contrary, the entire rank and file in the constituency unequivocally wanted him as convenor and even sought to bring pressure on the high command when it brushed aside their sentiments and appointed someone else.

Stating that he has decided to leave the decision on his `fate' to his brother and his conscience, Mr. Ramamurthy Naidu wanted to point out that he never used his clout as the CM's brother but conducted himself as any other ordinary worker careful not to bring any disrepute to the Chief Minister and to the party.

He insisted that any decision taken by any party should be in consonance with the popular mood and sentiments of people concerned and said that it was what his supporters also insisted (through a campaign in his favour) when the high command's decision was otherwise and did not reflect the aspirations of the local cadre.

Defends supporters

Answering a question, Mr. Ramamurthy Naidu said that his supporters did not think that they were indulging in anti-party activity whey they launched a campaign in his favour, because they were all `hard core TDP activists' and never challenged Mr. Chandrababu Naidu's leadership. "All that they wanted was that I should be actively involved in all party activities in the constituency without being sidelined by the Chief Minister under the garb of avoiding family rule."

Asked if he would demand the revocation of the suspension orders served on 10 of his close followers for their hand in the attack on the TDP office in Chittoor last week, Mr. Ramamurthy Naidu said those who were all suspended were `committed workers' of the party since its inception and as such felt that he did not see anything wrong if they requested the high command to revoke their suspension and if the high command also took a lenient view on them, all in the interest of the party.

He dismissed as mere rumour and perhaps wishful thinking all the talk of his switching sides to the Congress or the BJP and asserted that the question did not arise at all.

Asked if he would cross over to any other party around the time of election due in 2004, he ducked the question saying that it was hypothetical.

Mr. Ramamurthy Naidu later set out to visit Pakala, Irala, Pulicherla and Chandragiri -- the four mandal headquarters in the constituency to call on his followers who only yesterday, at his intervention, ended their indefinite fast they have launched demanding his appointment as the party convenor.

"As they withdrew their fast, though reluctantly at my request, it is my duty to meet them and assuage their feelings,'' he said.

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