Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy quits YSRCP, resigns as Rajya Sabha MP; likely to join TDP

With this, the YSRCP is staring into oblivion over its prospects in the Nellore district in the upcoming simultaneous elections for the state Assembly and the Lok Sabha, as three out of 10 of its MLAs have already shifted their allegiance to the TDP.

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From being a YSR aide to ‘cycling’ towards TDP

Reddy is a prominent industrialist and was a close aide of former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy (YSR).

Although he was part of the YSRCP central committee for a while, he distanced himself from YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in 2016 due to differences in their functioning.

At that time he was close to joining the TDP having held meetings with the then chief minister and party chief Chandrababu Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh,

His plans to join TDP then were deferred as Reddy was assured a Rajya Sabha ticket from the YSRCP, which he received in 2018.

Subsequently, his wife Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy was appointed the chairperson of the North India TTD Advisory Committee in 2023.

Reddy resigned as a Rajya Sabha member even though his tenure was set to conclude this year. The YSRCP was reportedly in discussions with him regarding his Lok Sabha nomination from Nellore.

He has been playing a significant role in strengthening the party in the district, especially since three senior party leaders shifted their allegiance to the TDP, citing unfulfilled promises of ministerial responsibilities.

The trio of MLAs comprises Kotam Reddy Sridhar Reddy, representing Nellore Rural; Udayagiri MLA Mekapati Chandrasekhar Reddy; and Venkatagiri MLA Anam Ramanarayana Reddy.

Also Read: Three YSRCP candidates elected unopposed to RS from AP

The differences with the YSRCP

After being appointed as the in-charge for the district in 2023, Reddy was determined to gain the YSRCP Lok Sabha ticket from the Nellore constituency.

However, differences of opinion cropped up between YS Jagan and Reddy as he was not consulted on key decisions, including the appointment of the party in-charges for various areas.

According to a source close to Reddy, he has been recommending changes in candidature for three to four Assembly seats, emphasising the role of strong MLA candidates in gathering votes for the MP candidates in the area.

However, the YSRCP leadership did not consider his recommendations, leaving him ‘frustrated’.

One such appointment was of Mohammad Khaleel Ahmed, a close aide of sitting MLA YSRCP Anil Kumar Yadav for the Nellore City constituency.

Anil Kumar Yadav was sent to the Narasaraopet parliamentary seat as the replacement for sitting MP Lavu Krishna Devarayalu who quit the YSRCP.

Despite reassurances from senior leaders that his recommendations would be taken into account, Reddy felt offended by the lack of proper treatment.

Sources suggest that Vemireddy got upset when he received a strict warning from the party instructing him to contest his seat and not to consider leaving the party. His response to that message was going into exile.

Although he considered his return after being assured that his recommendations would be considered, there was no change in communication or acknowledgement of his demands, said sources.

Meanwhile, sources indicate that the former TDP Minister Punganur Narayana has initiated communication with the Vemireddy and is likely to join the party later this week.