Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Shankar Yadav Takes Charge Amid Thamballapalle TDP Factional Strife
The Telugu Desam Party chose former MLA G. Shankar Yadav to lead its work in Thamballapalle.
The position had been empty for months.
It became vacant after the party suspended Dasaripalle Jayachandra Reddy in connection with a spurious liquor case.
Several local leaders wanted the position, including Jayachandra Reddy’s wife, Kalpana Reddy.
Their supporters disagreed, making the appointment take longer.
Party leaders chose Shankar because of his political experience and links with local workers.
They also considered the large Backward Classes community in the constituency.
Chandrababu Naidu told him to bring the groups together before doing other organisational work.
This is important because local body elections are approaching.
Former MLA G. Shankar Yadav has been appointed Telugu Desam Party in-charge of Thamballapalle constituency.
The post remained vacant after former in-charge Dasaripalle Jayachandra Reddy was suspended in the Mulakalacheruvu spurious liquor case.
Kalpana Reddy and Surendra Yadav were among those seeking the position, while internal disagreements delayed the decision.
Party leaders cited Shankar Yadav’s experience, grassroots connections and the strength of the Backward Classes community in choosing him.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asked Shankar Yadav to unite rival groups and strengthen the party before local body elections.
- Who
- Former MLA G. Shankar Yadav, the Telugu Desam Party leadership, and rival party groups in Thamballapalle.
- What
- Shankar Yadav was appointed Telugu Desam Party in-charge of the Thamballapalle constituency.
- When
- The appointment order was issued on Wednesday, after the post had remained vacant for months; local body elections are forthcoming.
- Where
- Thamballapalle constituency in Annamayya district; consultations were held at Horsley Hills, Tirupati and were also planned in Vijayawada.
- Why
- The party sought to fill the vacant post, strengthen its grassroots organisation and unite rival groups before local body elections.
Party Leadership and Shankar Yadav Supporters
Competing Local Factions
Choice of constituency in-charge
Party Leadership and Shankar Yadav Supporters
The leadership selected Shankar Yadav after consultations, citing his experience, worker connections and the Backward Classes factor.
Competing Local Factions
Supporters of other contenders, including Kalpana Reddy and Surendra Yadav, had also sought the post, reflecting competition within the constituency unit.
Party unity
Party Leadership and Shankar Yadav Supporters
The leadership expects Shankar Yadav to set aside differences, work with all sections and bring the rival groups together.
Competing Local Factions
Party sources said differences between supporters had deepened and that uniting them before the elections would not be easy.
Order of priorities
Party Leadership and Shankar Yadav Supporters
Chandrababu Naidu directed Shankar Yadav to resolve internal differences before taking up other organisational work.
Competing Local Factions
The approaching local body elections create pressure to address factional disputes quickly while strengthening the party from the village level.
- New in-charge
- G. Shankar Yadav, a former MLA
- Party
- Telugu Desam Party
- Constituency
- Thamballapalle, Annamayya district
- Previous in-charge
- Dasaripalle Jayachandra Reddy, who was suspended in connection with the Mulakalacheruvu spurious liquor case
- Other contenders
- Kalpana Reddy and Surendra Yadav of Angallu were among those seeking the post
- Selection factors
- Shankar Yadav’s seniority, association with grassroots workers and the Backward Classes factor
- Immediate task
- Unite rival groups, improve coordination and prepare the party machinery for local body elections
