Congress MLA in Yanam enclave Malladi Krishna Rao on Sunday asserted that he and his followers would work for the victory of the All India NR Congress (AINRC) in 2016 Assembly elections.
Last week, the Congress MLA openly came out in support of the AINRC and praised Chief Minister N. Rangasamy for all the assistance rendered to the constituency, at a public function. His overtures has caused ripples among political circles in the Union Territory.
Talking to The Hindu , Mr. Rao said, “It is wholly my responsibility and that of my supporters to get an MLA elected for the AINRC from the Yanam constituency in 2016 Assembly elections.”
Explaining the rationale behind moving towards the ruling party, Mr. Rao said his supporters had expressed their wish to switch camp to the AINRC.
“When the people of Yanam wished to support the AINRC, what else I can do?,” he said.
Mr. Rao said he was loyal for several years to the Congress and worked for the victory of Congress candidate, former Union Minister V. Narayansamy, in the last Lok Sabha elections. The Congress candidate secured more votes in Yanam than in any other Assembly constituency in the UT. He also citied the failure of the Congress high command in taking action against the persons working against the party candidate in 2014 Lok Sabha election.
Mr. Rao said, “I have been an MLA for more than 25 years and don’t want to contest for the MLA post.” There was no commitment given by the AINRC on Rajya Sabha seat and MLA seat to his wife.
“My wife would not contest for the post.”
Mr. Rao had words of praise for Mr. Rangasamy who, he said, had rendered all assistance for the betterment of the people of Yanam.
