Kotagiri Vidyadhar Rao, was a tall leader from Godavari districts who was also able to win as an independent even during TDP wave in 1983 and later joined TDP and emerged as a key leader under both NTR and Chandrababu Naidu. He hogged enough limelight by also taking up key ministries during TDP’s tenure.
Apparently motivated by Chiru’s entry into politics he took a plunge into PRP in 2009 and worked very hard for Chiru but lost election as an MLA. When Chiru merged his party into Congress, he had no other choice but to follow him though he was skeptical of joining his rival party.
Though Chiru was able to secure his position with a Central ministry and other benefits, Vidyadhar Rao was left to fend for himself such that he wasn’t able to secure a panchayath seat for his daughter in the midst of competition by candidates supported by Kavuri and Kothapalli Subbarayudu. His followers reportedly say he could no longer bear the insults of Congress and neglect by Chiru and this finally resulted in heart stroke and death.
