The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has removed former MLA S.V.S.N. Varma from the post of Pithapuram constituency in-charge to set the house in order following a rift with the local Jana Sena Party (JSP) leaders, for which he is apparently held responsible.

A special committee will now be formed to handle party affairs in the constituency, where Mr. Varma lost to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP)’s Pendem Dorababu in the 2019 elections.

Mr. Varma had aspired to contest from Pithapuram in 2024 but had to make way for JSP president K. Pawan Kalyan, who won by a comfortable margin against the YSRCP candidate Vanga Geetha. Mr. Varma had since been unhappy but rarely spoke against the party line.

He had, however, been at odds with the JSP leaders on several occasions over various issues.

Mr. Varma told reporters that he had been duly consulted before the decision was taken and that he would abide by it..