It appears the stage is set for the suspension of controversial Telugu Desam Party MLA from Tiruvuru assembly constituency Kolikapudi Srinivas Rao from the party, in the wake of his tussle with Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivanath alias Chinni.
According to party sources, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has taken a serious view of the dispute and decided to put an end to this indiscipline in the party by suspending Kolikapudi.
Sources said Naidu might also give last warning to Chinni as well, asking him to keep away from controversies.
The rift, which had been brewing for months, escalated sharply after Kolikapudi made corruption allegations against Kesineni during television debates and on social media.
Party sources said Naidu is “deeply displeased” with both leaders’ public conduct and wants the matter “settled firmly” through disciplinary proceedings.
According to party insiders, Naidu remarked that such issues should have been foreseen while finalizing party tickets ahead of the elections.
Expressing anger over the feud, he is learnt to have said that both leaders, who won “because of the party symbol,” are behaving as if their victories were personal achievements.
Naidu reportedly told close aides, “If they think they can act independently, they are free to leave the party.”
Following Naidu’s directive, the TDP disciplinary committee has summoned both leaders for hearings on Tuesday, November 4.
Kolikapudi has been asked to appear before the panel at 11 am, while Kesineni Chinni has been called in at 4 pm the same day.
The disciplinary committee comprises Minister Nakka Anand Babu Janardhan Reddy, MLC Panchumarthi Anuradha, Politburo member Varla Ramaiah, and senior leaders Sharif and Konakalla Narayana.
The panel will record statements from both and submit a report to the chief minister, based on which further action will be decided.
The controversy reached flashpoint after Kolikapudi alleged that Kesineni Chinni had taken Rs 5 crore in exchange for ensuring his MLA ticket during the last assembly elections.
He claimed to possess bank statements as proof and even posted screenshots on his WhatsApp status, causing a major stir within party circles.
Kolikapudi also uploaded a series of other controversial posts targeting his party colleague, further inflaming tensions.
Chinni dismissed the charges as baseless and said he was a committed TDP leader, not one who colluded with the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
“For a year he treated me like a god, and now he calls me a demon — let Kolikapudi explain why,” Chinni retorted.
As the two leaders prepare to face the disciplinary committee on Tuesday, the political temperature in Tiruvuru remains high.
Party cadres and observers alike are awaiting chief minister Naidu’s next move, which could determine the fate of both leaders within the TDP.