The intense political drama over YSRC legislator from Nandyal Bhuma Nagi Reddy’s reported switching of loyalties to the ruling TDP ended in anti-climax as the legislator announced that he continued to be with the YSRC.
There was hectic political activity on Saturday with the leadership of TDP and the YSRC holding separate meetings with their respective units from Kurnool district.
TDP president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu himself intervened, summoning his deputy K.E. Krishnamurthy and other leaders from Kurnool to Vijayawada to discuss the roadmap.
Finally, the YSRC succeeded in convincing the MLA not to leave the party.
Political circles were abuzz with speculation since Friday following reports that Mr. Nagi Reddy had resolved to shift to the TDP along with three other party MLAs.
It was rumoured that Mr. Nagi Reddy decided to shift to TDP following an offer of ministerial berth to his daughter Akhila Priya.
As the news spread, YSRC president and Opposition leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy went on a damage control exercise holding a series of meetings with party legislators and senior leaders from Kurnool.
He deputed three senior leaders -- Y.V. Subba Reddy, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy and V. Vijay Sai Reddy -- to persuade the Nandyal legislator.
Even as a group of five YSRC legislators led by S.V. Mohan Reddy, brother-in-law of Mr. Nagi Reddy, briefed Mr. Jagan about the latest development, and the impact it could have on the party’s prospects in the district, the three-member YSRC delegation closeted with Mr. Nagi Reddy for more than an hour.
Emerging from of the meeting, Mr. Subba Reddy said Mr. Nagi Reddy continued to be with the YSRC and had gone to Nandyal on Friday in connection with a court case.
“Mr. Nagi Reddy told us that he is busy supervising the arrangements relating to his daughter Ms. Akhila Priya’s engagement.
He was surprised over the reports of his switching loyalties in a section of the media,” he said.
Mr. Mohan Reddy, whose name too figured among the MLAs likely to shift, said that the TDP was playing a “mind game” to create confusion among the YSRC’s rank and file.
Asserting that they would continue with the YSRC, the MLAs said the TDP was a sinking ship as it had failed on all fronts and was facing anti-incumbency having gone back on the promises made in the election manifesto.
