Kolikapudi: Never Ending Headache for TDP?

TDP MLA Kolikapudi Srinivas Rao is once again drawing unwanted attention, creating fresh trouble for the party. Though he first earned recognition by actively supporting the Amaravati farmers movement and later received the Tiruvuru ticket from Chandrababu, his journey after winning has been filled with controversies rather than achievements.

The earlier feud with Vijayawada MP Kesineni Chinni was a major setback for the party. Kolikapudi claimed he had paid five crore rupees for the MLA ticket, a statement that triggered heavy criticism. Chinni reacted strongly, and the issue escalated until the disciplinary committee stepped in and presented its report to Chandrababu. Only after both leaders were called and counselled did that dispute come to an end.

Now, Kolikapudi has once again put TDP in a tight spot. His regular WhatsApp statuses targeting party leaders in Vissannapeta have gone viral. He posted comments such as “What are you the president of? A gambling club?” and accused local leaders of running their office like a day and night gambling point. These remarks quickly became hot discussion in Tiruvuru and across party circles.

Leaders within TDP say his behaviour is causing serious discomfort. Public fights, internal accusations and remarks that damage the party’s reputation are making the leadership increasingly worried. At this point, managing Kolikapudi and his outbursts is turning into a never ending headache for TDP.