Jyothula Nehru joins TDP amid fanfare

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu welcoming YSR Congress leader Jyothula Nehru into the Telugu Desam Party , in Vijayawada on Monday.— PHOTO: V. RAJU

: After the Anam brothers’ joining, the A1 Convention centre here came alive again with Jaggampet MLA Jyothula Nehru joining the Telugu Desam Party amid fanfare on Monday.

Even as the venue was filled with followers of Mr. Nehru, TDP national president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu welcomed Mr. Nehru at 5.32 p.m., the auspicious muhurtam preferred by the YSR Congress MLA, into the TDP by presenting him a yellow scarf.

Three ZPTCs, 43 MPTCs and 36 Sarpanches joined the TDP along with the MLA. Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, BC Welfare Minister Kollu Ravindra and others welcomed Mr. Nehru with a warm hug.

A couple of months ago, the Anam brothers from Nellore district had joined the TDP at the same place. Their followers had descended on the venue in good numbers.

As the speakers pointed out, it is a like homecoming to Mr. Nehru, who played a key role in the East Godavari TDP unit until he joined the YSR Congress. He was an active leader in the TDP when Deputy Chief Minister N. Chinarajappa was president of the ruling party’s East Godavari district unit.

“Lend Jaggampet

a helping hand”

Mr. Nehru, who parted ways with the YSR Congress recently, urged the Chief Minister to develop Jaggampet constituency which has an agri-based economy, on a par with neighbouring constituencies. The MLA said problems such as drinking water scarcity, unemployment and poor revenues plagued the constituency. The government should focus on developing industry and creating employment for youth, he said.

Stating reasons for leaving the YSR Congress, Mr. Nehru said that a strong Opposition was necessary for development of a State. The Opposition leader should have capabilities to understand what people required and have the attitude to do service. Any programme taken up by the leader should reflect the aspirations of people. The programme should also be aimed at their development and welfare, he said.

“These were the comments I used to make while taking a dig at the TDP. But, let me assure you that my criticism was always positive and constructive.”

Mr. Nehru served as deputy floor leader of the YSR Congress.