Inside Talk: YCP Firebrand MP Feels The Heat!

[Anta Assamey]

Hero turned member of Parliament Margani Bharat journey into politics was a roller-coaster ride. Before the 2019 elections, Bharat’s father stepped into politics. Bharat’s father joined Telugu Desam and expected a ticket from Chandrababu Naidu. However, TDP chief preferred Adireddy Apparao family who happens to be the relative of Tekkali MLA Atchannaidu.

Getting snubbed, Margani Bharat’s father looked at YCP. Having a strong BC community connection and financial background, YCP chief YS Jagan offered Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha ticket to Bharat. In Jagan and YCP’s wave, Bharat successfully contested his maiden mainstream election.

Rajahmundry YCP leaders including Jakkampudi Raja fully supported Bharat during the elections but now the scenario has changed. MP Bharat is not in talking terms with five MLAs out of the seven Assembly constituencies that fall under his Parliament segment. When Jakkampudi held a press meet and criticised Bharat, the MP retaliated with the same intensity.

Sensing trouble, the YCP high command intervened and tried to sort out the differences between Jakkampudi and Bharat. But with high command’s persuasion, Jakkampudi and Bharat avoided a public outage. This episode brought a bad name for Margani Bharat and there is a severe opposition against him from many constituencies.

The YCP high command realized that MP Bharat may not get the support of local YCP leaders like in 2019 and also has reportedly decided not to give ticket in 2024. But this doesn’t mean Bharat is set aside because he has close association with YCP chief Jagan and Bharat single handedly countered Narsapuram MP Raghu Ramakrishna Raju who regularly hosts media meets to criticise Jagan.

There is a talk within YCP that Jagan may offer Rajahmundry city MLA ticket to Bharat. Currently TDP’s Adireddy Bhavani is representing this constituency and Jagan believes that Bharat can certainly checkmate TDP’s dominance in this constituency. But that’s a demotion.