Somarapu Satyanarayana, former MLA, who joined the BJP a couple of years ago and has been made the president of the Peddapally district unit, has shocked everyone when he said that he would resign from the party and the post he is currently holding. This has come as a surprise and shock to the party state leadership.

Somarapu is a strong leader with grassroots connect. He is also known to be a leader with deep contacts with labour unions in the coal belt. It was because of his influence that the TRS failed to make spectacular gains in the coal belt during the last year’s municipal elections. However, ever since Bandi Sanjay took over, he is on a flab-cutting mission and is bringing down the number of party functionaries. For instance, though there was a provision to appoint 80 persons to the state working committee. But, Sanjay appointed only 36 persons. In this process, he had ignored many seniors. This has angered Somarapu Satyanarayana, who felt that the state leadership has belittled him. Hence he has sent in his resignation.

Somarapu has strong links to the trade unions of the coal belt and his leaving could affect the plans of the BJP to defeat the TRS in the coal belt union elections. Already senior trade unionist Mallaiah is planning to leave RSS-backed BMS. He was earlier an asset to the TRS and has left the party to join BMS later. If he and Somarapu switch sides, it could affect the BJP’s efforts to strengthen itself in the coal belt.