Andhra: Congress MLAs look to change party as election schedule is announced
Hyderabad: No sooner was the election schedule announced than the rate of defections from the Congress party increased. Seemandhra Congress MLAs particularly are either joining other parties or quitting politics. More than 15 Seemandhra Congress MLAs are ready to join the Telugu Desam and YSR Congress parties.
Former minister and Congress MLA Mr Daggubai Venkateswar Rao announced his retirement from politics on Friday. Former minister Mr Vatti Vasantha Kumar and former MPs Mr Lagadapati Rajagopal and Mr Vundavalli Arun Kumar, who were expelled from the Congress, also announced their retirement from politics. Seemandhra Congress MLA from
Kamalapuram in Kadapa district, Mr G. Veera Siva Reddy is also planning to bow out of politics and let his son take his place, but from the TDP.
Those queuing up to join the YSRCP are Seemandhra Congress MLAs Mr Kotta Palli Subbarayudu from Narasapur in West Godavari district, Mr Karumuru Nageswar Rao from Tanuku in West Godavari district and Mr Suresh from Yerragondla Palem in Prakasam district.
They met YSRCP chief Mr Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy on Friday, who welcomed their decision. Mr Routhu Surya Prakasa Rao, MLA from Rajamandry in East Godavari district, will also join the YSRCP Making a beeline for the TDP are former Congress minister Ms Galla Aruna Kumari and her son Mr Galla Jayadev from Chittoor district, and Ms Shilpa Mohan Reddy MLA from Nandyal in Kurnool district. Former ministers and senior Congress MLAs Mr J.C. Diwakar Reddy and Mr Gade Venkata Reddy are also likely to join the TDP.
Mr G. Kutuhalamma MLA from Gangadhar Nellore in Chittoor district, Mr Tota Trimurthulu MLA from Ramachandrapuram in East Godavari district, Mr Avanthi Srinivasa Rao, MLA from Bhimili, Ch Venkata Ramaiah, MLA from Gajuwaka, Mr P. Ramesh Babu, MLA from Pendurthi and Mr Ramana Murthy Raju, MLA from Yelamanchili, all from Visakhapatnam district, will also join the TDP.
Mr K. Kanna Babu, MLA from Kakinada rural in East Godavari district, is also likely to join the TDP. According to sources Mr Kanna Babu was asked by the TDP leadership to contest the Kakinada Lok Sabha seat, but he wants to stay in the assembly..
Ms K. Bharathi MLA from Tekkali in Srikakulam district announced on Friday that she has joined former Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy's new party. Former Congress minister and MP from Seemandhra, Ms Daggubati Purandheswari joined the BJP on Friday.
