Factionalism grips Pinapaka Congress in Kothagudem

Factionalism has deepened in Pinapaka Congress, with MLA Payam Venkateswarlu facing opposition from rival groups led by Tulluri Brahmaiah and Gurijala Gopi. The internal divisions, involving three factions, risk weakening the party’s prospects in upcoming Assembly elections, prompting calls for intervention from the high command.

Kothagudem: Group politics in Pinapaka Congress intensified as the party leaders have been running separate factions against the MLA (ST) Payam, Venkateswarlu creating a rift in the party in the constituency.

The MLA, who is said to be making efforts to tighten his grip on the party affairs in the constituency, has been facing opposition from his rival groups. Until recently, the party’s senior leader Tulluri Brahmaiah maintained a faction of his own.

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But recently, another leader. Gurijala Gopi, has started mobilising the party cadres creating his own faction against the MLA. These groups have been running the party programmes independently without the involvement of the MLA, much to his disappointment.

Venkateswarlu, the second=time MLA comes from Left-wing background and contested as CPI candidate for Burgampad Assembly constituency before Pinapaka constituency was created. He is said to be a follower of Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and joined the Congress party from the BRS prior to 2023 Assembly elections.

He earlier was associated with the YSRCP and won the 2014 election on the party ticket. After his stint in other parties he is now trying to make his mark in the Pinapaka Congress, taking advantage of his position as the MLA.

However, Brahmaiah, who is also a follower of Minister Srinivas Reddy, has been trying to overshadow the MLA in the party with his faction. On the other hand, a second-rung leader Gopi is also engaged in organising party programmes making his presence felt.

As a result of which the party cadres have been left confused and could not decide whom they should follow, as the party has been divided into three groups in the constituency. The division in the party might affect its prospects in the next Assembly polls, said sources in the party.

Meanwhile, the Congress senior leaders have urged the party high command and Minister Srinivas Reddy to intervene to bring order before the group politics damaged the party.