YSRC MPs dump Jagan to embrace Naidu

HYDERABAD: The exodus seems to have well and truly begun from the YSRC, just over a week after election results. Party MPs, SPY Reddy and B Renuka, on Sunday switched loyalties to the TDP and quite a few others, including MPs and MLAs, are in touch with the yellow party.

SPY Reddy (Nandyal) and Butta Renuka (Kurnool), who were elected to the Lok Sabha in the recently concluded elections, called on TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and extended their support. Soon after being inducted into the TDP, businessman-turned-politico SPY Reddy told reporters in Delhi he had joined the TDP to develop his constituency.

Reddy, who quit the Congress and joined the YSRC last year after the Centre's decision to split the State, claimed he was re-elected because of his personal image, not Jagan Reddy's charisma.

However, he denied differences with Jagan. SPY Reddy asserted he would win again with a record margin if the YSRC ensures his disqualification from the Lok Sabha.

Meridian Schools' owner Renuka said she would continue to be in YSRC but be an 'associate member' of the TDP in the Lok Sabha and expressed confidence she would win again if disqualified. Before her meeting with Naidu, her husband Neelakantam was inducted into the TDP.

The YSRC had won eight of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Seemandhra while the TDP bagged 15 and the BJP two. TDP MP CM Ramesh let it be known that many YSRC leaders are in touch with the TDP.

'Renuka's husband Neelakantam's entry into the TDP indicates her joining the party. Several YSRC lawmakers are asking us to accept them. We will take a decision after Mahanadu on May 27- 28,' said Ramesh.

The YSRC reacted predictably to the defections. Party MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy alleged, 'The TDP leadership is trying to woo our MPs in an unjust manner. Those MPs who are trying to join the TDP should remember that the moment they take its membership, they are liable to face disqualification.'

Election Commission sources said anti-defection law is applicable to registered parties too. Any leader, who defects from a party on whose ticket he/she is elected, can be disqualified even if that party is only registered and not recognised. The sources cited the 10th Schedule of the Constitution to buttress their argument.

However, TDP politburo member and former speaker Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said, 'Anti-defection law is not applicable to lawmakers belonging to unrecognised parties.'