The three MPs are: Krishna Devarayalu of Narasaraopet, Machilipatnam's Balashowry Vallabbhaneni, and Ongole's Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy.
Published Jan 03, 2024 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 03, 2024 | 11:45 AM
Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (Left), Balashowry Vallabbhaneni (Centre), and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy.
With the general elections just a hundred or so days away, at least three MPs of the ruling YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh are looking to exit the party.
These are Narasaraopet MP Krishna Devarayalu, Machilipatnam MP Balashowry Vallabbhaneni, and Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy.
While one MP perceives unfairness in YSRCP renominating him from the same segment despite his objections, the other two have different reasons.
With both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections scheduled simultaneously, the ruling YSRCP, led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, is reportedly reviewing candidatures in different constituencies and finalising tickets.
First-time MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, who won from Narasaraopet in 2019, is now seeking an exit, according to sources South First reached out to. Krishna Devarayalu is vice-chairman of Vignan University and 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 right and wrong reasons.
He reportedly had a rift with the 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.
A source close to Devarayalu told South First, “Krishna seems to have arrived at the decision to leave the party following discussions with YSRCP regarding funding the party if he is renominated. Also, the YSRCP suggested that he contest from the Guntur or Vijayawada segments in the Lok Sabha election.”
Krishna, however, considers both suggested seats as unsafe, especially as the TDP retained these despite the “wave” favouring Jagan in the 2019 elections. Moving to Guntur or Vijayawada, considered strongholds of TDP, is seen as an unfair suggestion by him.
“He is in favour of funding his own election, but is not ready to fund the Assembly segments that fall under the Narasaraopet Parliament constituency or contribute to the party,” the source added.
In these circumstances, he seems to have concluded that the party has left him in the lurch. While he has not yet opened a channel of communication with any other party, he is expected to do so soon.
Who knew that attending a dinner hosted by the new Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of neighbouring Telangana could stir up trouble for two YSRCP MPs with their own boss in Andhra Pradesh.
Among the dozen or so YSRCP MPs who attended the dinner on 19 December, Machilipatnam MP Balashowry Vallabbhaneni and Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy had to face the heat as their presence at the event did not sit well with their chief, YS Jagan.
The chief minister and party supremo reportedly wondered how the MPs could attend a meeting hosted by the Congress chief minister of Telangana without his knowledge.
According to sources, in a private meeting with Balashowry Vallabbhaneni, Jagan expressed his dissatisfaction over the MPs’ attendance at the party. Balashowry is a former Congress MP who joined the YSRCP in 2013 amid the bifurcation row.
However, this is not the first time Balashowry has caught the attention of the YSRCP for the wrong reasons.
He had earlier been questioned about his “secret” meeting with Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan. Sources told South First that the MP has a soft spot for actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, who also happens to hail from the same Kapu community.
The MP is also facing challenging times in his own segment, with senior party leaders — who also happen to be close aides of Jagan — making life difficult for him. Since the 2019 elections, he has had rifts with former minister Perni Nani and Avanigadda MLA Simhadri Ramesh Babu.
A source close to Balashowry said, “The MP has been in touch with Pawan Kalyan for the past six months, and he will shift his loyalties soon upon confirmation of the Lok Sabha ticket for the Guntur segment.”
The third MP looking to jump ship is senior leader and Ongole MP Magunta Srinivas Reddy, who also faced the music from Chief Minister Jagan over attending the dinner meeting hosted by Revanth Reddy.
According to sources, Srinivas Reddy, who joined YSRCP ahead of the 2019 elections and bagged the ticket to contest, is now seeking a shift as he is not interested in the party’s decision that he should contest as an MLA from the Giddalur Assembly segment.
One source told South First: “The MP is waiting for the TDP-BJP alliance to be firmed up. This way, his winning probability would increase, and he can contest on a BJP ticket.”
Incidentally, Magunta Srinivas Reddy and his son are accused-cum-approvers in the alleged Delhi liquor scam case. They are supposedly part of the so-called “South Group” that allegedly paid ₹100 crore in kickbacks to the Aam Aadmi Party for an excise policy that favoured their firms.
