YSRCP loses one more MLA to TDP in Andhra, defection count now at 22

Opposition YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh received a jolt on Saturday as one more legislator crossed over to ruling Telugu Desam Party.

V Rajeswari, a member of the Legislative Assembly from Rampachodavaram constituency in East Godavari district, formally joined the TDP in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, 

Naidu, who is also TDP's national President offered her the party scarf to induct her in the organisation. The MLA's supporters also joined the ruling party.

Rajeswari is the 22nd legislator from YSRCP to cross over to TDP in last three years. She told reporters that she took the decision for the development of her constituency. She said Naidu was leading the state on the path of development and prosperity.

Last month, Kurnool MP Butta Renuka had also defected to the TDP.

Renuka and her supporters met the Chief Minister at his residence in Amaravati, and were welcomed into the TDP fold.

Renuka is said to be one of the richest parliamentarians in the 16th Lok Sabha. She was also the second YSRCP MP to join TDP after SPY Reddy from Nandyal.

Addressing the media at her meeting with CM Naidu, Renuka said, “I am happy to associate with the TDP for development of the state. The Chief Minister has been striving to develop the state after all the turmoil caused by the bifurcation.”

YSRCP had bagged 67 seats in 175-member assembly in 2014 elections and emerged as the lone opposition party.

The latest defection came two days before party President YS Jaganmohan Reddy is scheduled to embark on state-wide 'padyatra' or foot march to seek support in the 2019 elections.

Under the 'yatra', Jagan plans to cover 3,000 km in 125 constituencies over a period of six months.

YSRCP has already decided to boycott the legislature session likely to be convened this month to demand that all its MLAs who crossed over to TDP during last three years are disqualified.

As four of these defected MLAs had joined state cabinet in April, Jagan's party is seeking their immediate dismissal.
 

IANS inputs