Rajahmundry: BJP MLA from Rajahmundry Urban Assembly segment Akula Satyanarayana will join the Jana Sena on January 21 in the presence of party chief Pawan Kalyan at the party office in Vijayawada. Putting off speculation over the last few days that the BJP legislator was quitting the party, the legislator Dr Akula Satyanaryana made it clear that he would quit from the primary membership of BJP and also from the membership of the Assembly on January 20. The legislator intends to send his resignation letter from the primary membership of the party to AP BJP president Kanna Lakshminarayana and also to party national president Amit Shah. He will also be sending his resignation letter from the membership of the AP State Legislative Assembly to Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao the same day.
The BJP legislator explained his decision to quit the party, stating that the Centre failed to fulfil three major issues including sanction of a railway zone at Visakhapatnam, a steel plant at Kadapa and also the Dugarajapatnam Port at Nellore, all incorporated in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 despite repeated reminders from the state party leaders and assurances given by the Centre.
The BJP MLA was also miffed at internal squabbles in the BJP party in Rajahmundry as the party leadership failed to resolve them to facilitate harmony among party leaders and cadre.
On special category status, the BJP legislator said that the Centre had given a financial package in lieu of it and it was enough as the state got more than what such a special tag could give. He maintained that he did not have any qualms on denial of special tag to the state.
He said, “I am joining Jana Sena unconditionally and I wish to work for people in the state representing the party. I am ready to accept any work entrusted by the party leadership to me and assure to do it with all commitment.”
The BJP MLA is eyeing the Rajahmundry Parliamentary segment to contest in the ensuing polls representing the Jana Sena. At present, the YSR Congress has announced the name of Margani Bharat as party co-ordinator of the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha segment giving an indication that he would be the party’s nominee. The TD is yet to officially finalise its nominee and at present, it is being represented by veteran film actor M. Murali Mohan.
In case Akula Satyanarayana is nominated from the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha segment representing the Jana Sena, it becomes a triangular contest.
On the other hand, Akula’s wife Padmavathi is already associated with the Jana Sena and it has to be seen whether she also will be given a chance to contest in the ensuing polls.
