Andhra Pradesh: Will Lagadapati make a comeback in active politics?

GUNTUR: Kicking up an interesting debate in the political circles, former Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal has made a sudden appearance in the private office of Andhra Pradesh assembly speaker Dr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao here on Tuesday. Lagadapati, who closeted with the speaker for over an hour, is believed to have discussed the political situation in the state. Lagadapati, however, refused to speak to the media after the meeting.

The meeting assumed significance in the wake of TDP's plans to field Lagadapati from Narasaraopet Lok Sabha constituency after seeing the reluctance of assembly speaker Dr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao to go to Parliament. Interestingly, sitting MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao continues to insist that he is very much active in the politics and there is no question of retiring at this juncture.

Speculation is rife that TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu had already directed Lagadapati to get ready to enter the electoral battle once again as party badly needs his services on field. "It is just a routine courtesy call. Lagadapati is not so serious about making a comeback into active politics," Dr Kodela told TOI.

Lagadapati, a strong votary of Samaikyandhra, had announced his retirement from the active politics following the bifurcation of the state in 2014 and is yet to be back on political stage. Although, he has been maintaining close relations with chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, he had not joined the TDP. Lagadapati, known as Andhra octopus, had faced criticism after his prediction that Congress-TDP combine will sweep the polls in the recent Telangana assembly elections, had flopped.

TRS leadership alleged that Lagadapati had deliberately tried to influence the voters to help TDP and Congress. Sources said that Lagadapati is carrying out surveys in the state and helping the TDP leaders in taking corrective measures wherever they are required. He is said to have promised to work for the victory of TDP in the next elections without directly entering the fray. However, CM Naidu would take the final call as to how to utilize his services, said a senior TDP leader.