Nellore: In yet another setback to the YSR Congress, Addanki YSRC legislator Gottipati Ravikumar is all set to join the TD within the next few days. According to sources, the legislator has been holding discussions with his cadres since the past few days to seek their opinion and join the TD along with him. Sources in the YSR Congress said that only Ravi Kumar was shifting loyalties now though the names of two more legislators were doing the rounds.
It is likely that the others are biding their time as YSRC chief JaganMohan Reddy had made assurances of protecting their interests if they remained in the party. The rumour doing the rounds is that the party promised to give the remaining legislators tickets in the next election besides funds for electioneering.
Meanwhile, the chief minister’s son, Nara Lokesh, has been paying special attention to strengthening the party in Prakasam district, especially in the western parts, where the YSRC bagged three seats in the 2014 elections. As part of this exercise, they have already admitted Yarragondapalem legislator Palaparthi David Raju. Mr Lokesh also toured the segment two days ago.
Sources said that the followers of TD senior leader Karanam Balaram are worried about Ravikumar joining the party in view of serious differences existing between the two leaders for long. The YSRC had six legislators in Prakasam district before David Raju switched over to the TD; the number will come down to four with the departure of Ravikumar.
