TDP: Old Habits Die Hard

TDP, going aggressive on the YSR Congress Govt, suddenly found itself in a shell. A small party leader was accused of sexually harassing a minor girl in Vijayawada, and the poor girl committed suicide.

Telugu Desam Party high command immediately suspended the accused from the party. Ideally, any party can do, and the courts will decide the further course. YSR has targeted TDP and started a social media campaign against TDP.

Party is being overcautious on the issue and is maintaining silence. There is a barrage of tweets on social media as if TDP is behind the girl's suicide. The party leadership should have come before the media and demanded the accused's punishment of the highest degree.

It is a straightforward issue, but the party leader is clueless. They seem to be worried about saying the accused was a party leader once. By doing so, they are allowing YSR Congress to do significant damage. This kind of defensive politics always hurt TDP, and it looks like old habits die hard.

No party would do a background check of its cadre and leader before admitting into the party. The reaction of the party when something happens is most important. Even after suspending the accused quickly, the party could not capitalize on it.