So far, out of 22 MPs of YSRCP, four have quit Jagan Mohan Reddy’s party ahead of Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.
Published Feb 26, 2024 | 6:11 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 26, 2024 | 7:19 PM
Lavu Krishna Devarayalu and YS Jagan. (Supplied)
Almost a month after leaving the YSRCP, Narasaraopet MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu has officially confirmed his decision to join the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
He announced on Monday, 26 February, that his formal joining would take place during a TDP public meeting in his Palnadu Lok Sabha constituency.
He also confirmed that he was set to contest from the Lok Sabha seat once again.
In a setback to the YSRCP, so far four of its 22 MPs quit the party recently as election fervour escalates.
They include Kurnool MP Sanjeev Kumar, Machilipatnam MP Vallabhaneni Balashowry, Narasapuram MP Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, and the Narasaraopet MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu.
Posting on X his decision to join TDP soon, Krishna also pointed to the eight development programmes to be picked up in the next five years.
He noted that they range from constructing irrigation projects to medical colleges.
ప్రజల మేలు కోరుతూ, పల్నాడు ప్రాంత అభివృద్ధికి కట్టుబడి.. నేను మరలా పల్నాడు నుండే పోటీ చేయబోతున్నాను. త్వరలోనే పల్నాడులో జరిగే బహిరంగ సభలో తెలుగు దేశం పార్టీ లో చేరుతున్నాను. నరసరావుపేట ఎంపీ అభ్యర్థిగా మరోసారి పోటీ చేయబోతున్న నన్ను మనసారా ఆశీర్వదిస్తారని కోరుకుంటున్నాను. pic.twitter.com/Kd8gCJzuAa
— Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (@SriKrishnaLavu) February 26, 2024
First-time MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, who won from Narasaraopet in 2019, is the vice-chairman of Vignan University in Guntur.
He also hails from the same “Kamma” community as TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.
Ever since he won, Krishna Devarayalu has been in the news for both the right and wrong reasons.
He reportedly had a rift with Health Minister Vidadala Rajini, who represents an Assembly segment in the same district.
Since their 2019 election wins, both have engaged in a power struggle over their roles and importance in the party and government affairs in the district.
Krishna arrived at the decision to leave the party following the YSRCP recommendation that he contest from the Guntur or Vijayawada segments in the Lok Sabha elections.
Krishna, however, considers both suggested seats as unsafe and unfair suggestions, especially as the TDP retained them despite the “wave” favouring Jagan in the 2019 elections.
However, after much contention between Krishna and the party, the YSRCP leadership agreed to renominate him from Palnadu, but with a condition.
A video circulated earlier where Krishna was heard saying that being asked to abuse Chandrababu and other Opposition leaders to prove loyalty for renomination triggered his decision to leave the party.
“They asked me to hold press conferences and criticise Chandrababu and other Opposition leaders to prove my loyalty to the YSRCP. I didn’t like this, and I asked them about the need for me to prove anything after my five years with the party. I then decided it was time to leave the party,” he was heard saying in the video.
The MP has already met TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu in Delhi, where the latter had gone to discuss with saffron leaders the matter of his party rejoining the NDA.
Meanwhile, the YSRCP has announced Nellore City MLA and former minister Anil Kumar Yadav as its parliamentary in-charge for Palnadu.
