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| VAMSI,NANI ALONG WITH NTR |
Disgruntled TDP leaders eye Jagan camp/Jagan woos dissident Cong leaders in Telangana
VIJAYAWADA: In a development that could have far-reaching consequences in Krishna district politics, YSR Congress Party has begun poaching disgruntled TDP leaders, including Vallabhaneni Vamsi and Gudivada legislator Kodali Sri Venkateswara Rao alias Nani.
KRISHNA DISTRICT TDP POLITICS IN NTV VEDIO
According to reliable sources, Vamsi has been in touch with top leaders in the Jagan camp and is likely to switch sides once he gets `clearance' from his friend and film star Junior NTR. Sources said Vamsi had already met Jagan personally and held negotiations on various issues. Curiously, neither Vamsi nor Nani has denied media reports about their plans to quit TDP and join YSR Congress.
"It would be a jolt for TDP in the district if the duo joins Jagan party," admitted a senior party leader. Sources said the Jagan camp had identified Vamsi as the lone `suitable' candidate to take on the Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal in Vijayawada. Vamsi gave Rajagopal a tough fight in the last general elections when the latter had won with a thin margin of over 10,000 votes.
Political circles, however, are surprised at Vamsi's reported moves to join the Jagan camp as he is known to be a staunch follower of slain Anantapur warlord Paritala Ravi. While Paritala family accuses Jagan as one of the plotters in Ravi's killing, Vamsi shifted his base to Vijayawada from Anantapur after the murder of his leader. Vamsi had even alleged that he faced a threat to his life from faction leader Maddelacheruvu Suri who was killed three months ago. Suri was the chief accused in Paritala Ravi's murder.
The Jagan camp has already roped in senior Kamma leader Makineni Pedarathaiah of the TDP and a five-time legislator from Guntur. Analysts said admission of leaders like Vamsi would help the YSR Congress expand its base in the Kamma community in a district like Krishna where they call the shots.
NIZAMABAD/ADILABAD: Jaganmohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party is going all-out to strengthen its base in the north Telangana region by wooing dissidents in the Congress and other parties. While Nizamabad zilla parishad chairman K Venkatramana Reddy is all set to join the new party soon, senior Congress leader from Adilabad A Indrakaran Reddy (Nirmal) and his follower Koneru Konappa (Sirpur) are in touch with the Jagan camp.
Sources said both the leaders met Jagan recently and had a lengthy discussion with him. Though details as to what transpired at the meeting have not been revealed, sources said both the leaders were unhappy with the Congress leadership. While Nirmal MLA P Maheshwar Reddy (PRP) would soon become a Congress leader with the merger, Indrakaran's followers believe their leader's future in the constituency is sealed, sources said.
Jagan loyalist and ex-MLA from Banswada Bajireddy Goverdhan claimed that several Congress leaders from the region would join the new party. "Some of the leaders have already agreed to join hands with Jagan, while talks are on with other leaders," he said.
Konappa is facing stiff competition from TRS MLA Kaveti Sammaiah, who is already being seen as a Congress man after his alleged voting in favour of the Congress candidate in the recent legislative council elections. "Konappa is likely to switch over to Jagan party soon," his followers said.
Former MLA from Jukkal constituency S Gangaram, who was suspended from the Congress for six years for making derogatory remarks against PCC president D Srinivas, is also likely to join the new party, sources said. Senior leader from Armoor and former minister S Santhosh Reddy is contemplating similar move along with his NRI son Srinivas Reddy.
Political analysts said Jagan loyalists are spreading words that their leader was not against bifurcation of the state. "In a calculated move to decimate the Congress, Jagan may even have a secret understanding with K Chandrasekhar Rao's TRS in 2014 elections," a senior analyst opined.
SOURCE:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Disgruntled-TDP-leaders-eye-Jagan-camp/articleshow/7847185.cms
