Anantapur: The YSR Congress leadership has begun taking steps to shield the party amid speculation over floor-crossing by MLAs as also desertion by other leaders from the main Opposition party.
While senior leader and Nandyal MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy and his daughter Bhuma Akhila Priya are all set to join the Telugu Desam, a few more MLAs from Kurnool district are keen on ditching the YSRC. The YSRC high command is working hard to reduce likely damage to the party. In Kurnool, Bhuma Nagi Reddy and three more MLAs are all set to march out.
Further, Jammalamadugu MLA C. Adinarayana Reddy and his brother C. Narayana Reddy, MLC from Kadapa district, are looking up to TD for new inspiration. TD general secretary Nara Lokesh is visiting Kadapa district soon to meet party cadres in Jammalamadugu and elsewhere. Several other leaders and representatives from the district are also seeking TD entry.
The YSRC high command is trying its best to convince the MLAs and leaders to stay on in the party, but is also at work to limit the damage of desertions and identify a fresh set of leaders in vulnerable areas and constituencies.
Party chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had taken part in a road show at Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district a month ago, following signals that sitting MLA Adinaryana Reddy was all set to join the TD. In this context, a youth leader from YSRC was encouraged to lead the road show, as a counter to Mr Adinaryana Reddy.
Sources said that in a counter-offensive, YSRC leaders are inviting TD leaders and constituency in-charges to join the Opposition by offering them a bright future.
Party sources said, “Our party has asked us to line up alternative leadership in troubled areas.”
Telugu Desam leader K.E. Prabhakar, a former minister and brother of Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy from Kurnool district, is emphatic about the course of the TD, “We are ready to take any leader from outside to strengthen the party.”
