The meeting of Rajya Sabha MPs T.G. Venkatesh, Sujana Chowdary and C.M. Ramesh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday evening, though was termed a courtesy call, Mr. Venkatesh is learnt to have urged Mr. Modi to look into the developmental issues of the Rayalaseema region.
Disclosing this to The Hindu, a source close to the MP said he would actively work for the betterment of Rayalaseema throughout his term.
The MP has been a vocal proponent of a special package for Rayalaseema ever since the bifurcation of the State.
Mr. Venkatesh defected from the TDP to the BJP on Thursday. He told reporters later that his move was only for the development of Rayalaseema and that he was an active member of the BJP in his youth.
This was the third time the 67-year-old MP has defected to a party in power. He started his political career in the TDP and left the party for the Congress in 2004.
He returned to the TDP after the bifurcation and joined the BJP now.
Son stays put in TDP
However, Mr. Venkatesh’s son T.G. Bharath continues to be in the TDP. Mr. Bharath’s post on his official Facebook page says, “I will be in TDP only as long as my self-respect and integrity are not questioned by Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Nara Lokesh.”Mr. Bharath was the TDP’s candidate from Kurnool Assembly constituency. He lost to YSRCP’s Hafeez Khan with a narrow margin. Political observers claim that due to the differences between them after the elections that Mr. Bharath did not follow his father into the BJP.
