Hyderabad: The observance of the 22nd death anniversary of TD patriarch N.T. Rama Rao on Thursday was marred senior party politburo member Motkupally Narasimhulu suggesting to party president and AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu to merge the TS unit of the party with the TRS.

Mr Narasimhulu, after offering tribute at the NTR Ghat, told the media that it was very painful to see the plight of the party in Telangana state after Mr Naidu had decided to confine his activities to AP, and several leaders had quit recently.





Mr Narasimhulu said, “Even if we want to strengthen the party, it is of no use due to the non-cooperation of leaders. It has become difficult even to put up candidates in the Panchayat Raj elections. I suggest to Mr Naidu wind up the party here and merge it with the TRS.”

He said TRS president and TS Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was trained in the Telugu Desam and almost all TRS ministers were originally from the TD. “What is the use of continuing the party and letting it become extinct? Instead, it is better to merge it with the TRS so that the party honour is protected and NTR’s soul will be happy.”

He said Mr Naidu should have come to NTR Ghat to pay homage.

Mr Narasimhulu’s comments created a furore within the TD. Several leaders including Telang-ana TD chief L. Ramana took objection and said the party was stronger than it had been earlier.

Another senior leader, Mr E. Peddireddy, said since the TD had emerged as a national party, how would it be possible to merge it with a regional party like the TRS.

Reacting to the comme-nts, deputy CM Kadiam Srihari said it was time for all TD leaders in Telangana to join the TRS unconditionally.