Khammam: The YSR Congress’ Telangana state unit faced a major blow on Monday with the party’s state president and Khammam MP Ponguleti Srinvasa Reddy and Pinapaka MLA Payam Venkateswarlu deciding to join the ruling TRS.
Attributing YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s stir against the Palamur lift irrigation scheme for his decision, the MP said, “Jagan’s deeksha is against the interests of Telangana.”
Mr Srinivasa Reddy, who convened a meeting with YSRC district unit, faced embarrassment when some of the party workers insisted that he explain the reasons for his leaving the party.
The party activists shot a volley of questions at Mr Srinivasa Reddy asking him how could he ditch a party which had made him an MP and its state president.
They also raised slogans in favour of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy and against Mr Srinivasa Reddy. It is said that over half of the ZPTCs, MPTCs and corporators are against the decision.
The MP tried to calm them down, but in vain. Later, he said that he took the decision to protect the interests of Telangana and that it was an unavoidable situation. “YSRC will not wind up after I leave it. Those who want to join me in the TRS can come with me,” he said.
Later, Mr Srinivasa Reddy met minister K.T. Rama Rao and announced his decision. Mr Reddy and Mr Venkateswarlu will formally join the TRS on May 4 in the presence of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao in Hyderabad.
