TRS ropes in senior TDP leader Mandava Venkateswara

Former minister and senior TDP leader in Telangana Mandava Venkateswara Rao would soon join the TRS. The decision came after TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao met Venkateswara Rao at the latter's residence, TRS sources said on Friday.

Venkateswara Rao had been a five-time MLA and an influential leader from the Nizamabad region. The TDP, once a major player in Telangana, has found its base substantially weakened after the exit of a number of leaders from the party over the last few years.

(With inputs from agencies.)