Interview: Kurnool MP Dr Sanjeev Kumar, who quit YSRCP, says bribe was sought for Yemmiganur MLA ticket

Also Read: The fall and rise of Jagan Mohan Reddy

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. What prompted you to resign from the party all of a sudden, with the elections barely months away?

A. This decision wasn’t sudden for me. I have been mulling over it for two years. However, I didn’t see it as justifiable to leave the MP post in the middle of my tenure. I was not happy and did not find myself suitable in the party system where there was no scope for me to raise issues related to the development of my Kurnool.

The YSRCP government mostly focused on the welfare schemes but the development part was neglected. Even if I were to raise issues, I would face disciplinary action. So, I decided to come out and address the issues at least now.

Q. What developmental limitations are you referring to?

A. Kurnool has a water scarcity issue. Even though 50 TMC water flows through the Tungabhadra river, we were not able to store it. Even if 4-5 TMC of water is stored, our irrigation issues would be addressed.

This was a promise in our manifesto, but I couldn’t deliver it. When I asked the Chief Minister (Jagan Mohan Reddy) four years ago, he asked me to enjoy the protocol and said that the MLAs of the parliamentary constituency would take care of the rest.

Q. While Chief Minister Jagan echoes that Backward Classes are his strength, even preferring BC candidates as his party contestants, why is he unperturbed about losing you?

A. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s echoing of social justice is merely ornamental; he doesn’t really mean it. Although tickets are given to Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates or Backward Classes (BS) candidates, someone from Jagan’s community (Reddy) is monitoring it. This is also happening to BCs, affecting their self-respect, but I can’t name the leaders doing this.

Also Read: Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is heading to polls as lone ranger

Q. Were you targeted over caste? Did someone from the Reddy community, as alleged by two Dalit MLAs recently, trouble you?

A. When Yemmiganur MLA Chennakesava Reddy was not renominated and YS Jagan asked to look for a BC candidate, an IAS officer approached me, seeking ₹5-10 crore as kickback to nominate my name. I refused it, as I have never earned a single rupee from corruption. All that I have is my hard-earned money from my days as a surgeon.

This kind of politics shouldn’t be encouraged as it will lead to caste oppression in the future, where someone else comes and orders us around on what to do.

Q. Did you raise the issue with YS Jagan or any other senior party leaders?

A. In the past 5-10 days, I have tried to reach out to them. I called Vijayasai Reddy, Mithun Reddy, and many others, but there is no scope to reach out to them. As time was running out to make a decision, I finally decided to step out of the party.

Q. So which party are you looking to join?

A. As of today, I am not associated with any party. Joining another party is not a one-man show. I will talk to my well-wishers and friends and will decide.

Until then, I will continue my services as a BC community leader and a surgeon. Since my youth, I have professed Bahujan ideology against oppression, which I carry to this day and will continue to do so.

Also Read: YSRCP reshuffle sees Jagan retaining only 8 MLAs as candidates in 35 constituencies

Q. There is criticism against the YSRCP for its soft approach with the BJP, as it has supported all Bills in parliament, including the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Being a Kurnool parliamentarian, where there is a significant minority population, have you ever been asked by the party to stay silent or not raise any questions?

A. I never thought about it from that angle. Perhaps they need support from the Union government for funds and so they do it. But I don’t think they have that close a relationship with the BJP. As far as we are concerned, we have never been asked not to raise questions against the Union government. We have even demanded that they deliver on the promises made to the state.

Q. Being an MP from Kurnool, have you ever discussed the progress of Kurnool as the judicial capital proposed by the Chief Minister a few years ago?

A. I must thank Chief Minister Jagan for nominating Kurnool as the judicial capital. We have made enough efforts for progress, but it also needs cooperation from the Union government, and the final judgement is pending from the Supreme Court.