Pick of the Day: Varma’s Handshake with Babu

An interesting moment unfolded today in Vijayawada. TDP chief and AP CM Chandrababu Naidu was seen meeting with a key party leader and former Pithapuram MLA, SVSN Varma. As Chandrababu extended his hand, Varma greeted him with a warm handshake.

Adding a subtle layer to the scene was AP Assembly Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju, who was standing beside Varma.

Varma had been fully prepared to contest from Pithapuram in the 2024 general elections on a TDP ticket. However, just before the elections, Chandrababu Naidu announced an alliance with Jana Sena and BJP, stating the coalition would contest together. Following this, Jana Sena chief and now AP Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan declared he would be contesting from Pithapuram. Chandrababu, aligning with coalition interests, requested Varma to step aside and make way for Pawan. Without a second thought, Varma gracefully withdrew and worked tirelessly to ensure Pawan’s victory with a strong majority.

As anticipated, the alliance secured a bumper majority, forming the government with Chandrababu as Chief Minister and Pawan Kalyan as Deputy CM. Varma was genuinely pleased with this outcome. However, the promise Chandrababu had reportedly made—to offer Varma an MLC seat—has yet to be fulfilled. Despite two rounds of MLC elections, Varma has not received a nomination, causing some unease among his supporters, though Varma himself has maintained a calm demeanor. His followers, however, express frustration, questioning when their leader’s sacrifice will be recognized.

In such a backdrop, on Saturday, the engagement ceremony of TDP senior leader and former minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao’s son was held in Vijayawada. Chandrababu attended the event, as did Varma, accompanied by Raghurama Krishnam Raju. When Chandrababu spotted Varma, he warmly greeted him, and Varma, upon seeing his leader, promptly approached him. The two leaders exchanged a friendly handshake. While what exactly they spoke remains unknown, their public show of camaraderie brought smiles to TDP cadre, rekindling hopes and optimism among party ranks.