Coming soon: Major exodus in Congress's Andhra Pradesh unit

The Andhra Pradesh unit of the Congress is heading towards a major crisis. Several leaders of the party are reportedly planning to walk out after the Congress’s dismal showing in the assembly polls in four states.

Many of these leaders believe that the ruling Congress doesn’t have much of a future in the state, given the massive anti-incumbency and the furore over the creation of Telangana.

A Congress leader from Seema-Andhra region, where sentiments against the party are at an all-time high due to its decision to divide the state, informed Rediff.com that nearly 30 leaders from the region are planning to leave the party.

Some of them will join Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress while the others will team up with the Chandrababu Naidu’s Telegu Desam Party.

Congress leaders in Telangana, who were confident about public support for their party, have been taken aback by the anti-Congress wave.

According to sources, as many as five Members of Parliament and 20 Members of Legislative Assembly are leaning towards the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, in the wake of altered political equations.

The TRS, which had earlier made friendly overtures to the Congress, is now believed to be courting the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance.

“Our high command delayed the final decision on Telangana. Had statehood been granted immediately after taking the decision, the situation would have been different,” rues a Congress leader from Telangana.

Interestingly, the TDP, a former ally of the BJP, is again leaning towards the NDA as it wants to cash in on the anti-Congress wave.

“It will be a close fight between us and the YSR Congress in Seema-Andhra. We are open to joining the NDA,” said a leader of the TDP, adding that a formal alliance will only be formed after the Lok Sabha and state elections in 2014.

The Congress is expected to witness a massive exodus once the Telangana Bill is presented in the assembly. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has made it clear that he will ensure that the Bill is defeated in the assembly.

Image: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy at a rally ' Photograph: SnapsIndia