Anantapur: Speculation is rife over several legislators of YSR Congress in the region planning to quit the party and follow in the footsteps of the two MPs from Kurnool district who joined the Telugu Desam on Sunday at the behest of N. Chandrababu Naidu.
At least five of the total 11 MLAs from Kurnool district are reportedly planning to quit YSRC Congress and looking to join the TD in view of local issues and factionalism.
Two sitting ministers and several MLAs of the Congress shifted loyalties to the TD and contested on the TD tickets, but all of them lost in Kurnool district.
Of the 14 Assembly constituencies, the YSRC bagged 11 seats while the TD had to be content with just three MLAs. Both ministers T.G. Venkatesh and Erasu Prathap Reddy were defeated.
The sudden decision of two MPs, S.P.Y. Reddy and Butta Renuka came as a shock to the YSRC. Rumours have it that the TD has invited several MLAs in Kurnool district and five legislators are looking to accept the TD offer, sources said.
A Rayalaseema leader from Kadapa was reportedly leading the task of inviting the YSRC legislators.
The TD is concentrating on Kadapa district too to woo several MLAs. The TD leadership is also planning to take advantage of the issue to bag Kurnool ZP chairman seat after two MPs shifted loyalties.
In Kurnool district, the YSRC has won 30 ZPTCs while the TD has bagged 20. But, recent events have led to several YSRC members eyeing the TD.
The TD needs 10 ZPTCs but nearly 15 members are willing to join it.
In Anantapur district, the TD leadership is hoping to attract the required MPTC members from the YSRC at the mandal where they face shortage in bagging the MPP post. A similar situation prevails in Gooty municipality where independents have decided to support the TD, though majority of the wards are with the YSRC.
