Defected TDP MLAs become headache for Jagan

[Anta Assamey]

The internal war within the YSR Congress party in Gannavaram assembly constituency has turned out be a big headache for party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

The revolt by the YSRC loyalists – Yarlagadda Venkat Rao and Dutta Ramachandra Rao against sitting MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi, who defected from the Telugu Desam Party to the YSRC, has been troubling the leadership.

During the ongoing campaign of “YSRC government to every doorstep,” both the groups are indulging in a bitter battle.

Though Jagan called the rebel leaders and also the MLA to Tadepalli to bring about a compromise, both Dutta and Yarlagadda made it clear to the party leadership that there was no question of working with Vamsi and that they would not accept Vamsi as the party candidate from Gannavaram in the next elections.

The rebel leaders complained to Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy that Vamsi had been targeting the genuine YSRC cadre and was encouraging only his followers.

They reminded that when Vamsi was in the TDP, he had abused Jagan in filthiest language and got the YSRC leaders thrown behind the bars.

Now, Jagan is in a dilemma – whether to continue to support Vamsi or respect the sentiments of the rebels. He is apprehensive that the infighting would ultimately help the TDP.

Similar situation is being witnessed in Chirala, where defected TDP MLA Karanam Balaram is running a feud against YSRC leader Amanchi Krishnamohan. Though Jagan is trying to send Amanchi to Parchur, he is refusing to go and wants to stick to Chirala.

This led to clash of egos between Karanam and Amanchi for Chirala seat. Jagan is facing a big headache with these two leaders at a time, when there is talk of early elections to the state assembly.

In Visakhpatnam (South) assembly constituency, too, sitting TDP MLA Vasupalli Ganesh, who defected to the YSRC last year, is facing stiff resistance from the local YSRC leaders led by Brahmin Corporation chairman Sitamraju Sudhakar, who is reportedly has the backing of YSRC general secretary and MP V Vijay Sai Reddy.

It is learnt the local YSRC cadre are refusing to cooperate with the defected TDP MLA and have decided to work against him in the next elections. The chief minister is yet to focus on this constituency.