Inflicting a bloody blow on the Congress party in West Godavari district, Chintalapudi Congress MLA Maddala Rajesh Kumar on Monday joined the YSR Congress Party in the presence of party honorary president YS Vijayamma in Hyderabad.
Rajesh Kumar later told journalists he has also decided to quit assembly, and that he would send his resignation letter to the Speaker Nadendla Manohar.
In another related development, Payakaraopet former TDP MLA Chengala Venkata Rao also joined the YSRCP in the presence of Vijayamma. Both Rajesh Kumar and Venkata Rao met Vijayamma at her Lotus Ponds residence and joined the YSR Congress. Prior to their joining, they met Vijayamma separately and held discussions.
Payakaraopet YSRCP MLA Golla Babu Rao, who was also present, said that Venkata Rao has been fed up with the working style of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and is happy to join YSRCP.
“Venkata Rao has been attracted towards the aims and objectives of the YSRCP and has a great appreciation for the welfare schemes implemented by YSR. I welcome him wholeheartedly into the party,” said Babu Rao on the occasion.
Venkata Rao told newspersons that he had represented the Payakaraopet constituency for 10 years from TDP from 1999 to 2009 but had no due recognition in the party. "Chandrababu never followed my advice to implement welfare schemes,” he said adding that Congress and TDP have conspired together against Jagan and jailed him.
“I have joined the party as an ordinary worker and not for any posts,” he told journalists. (INN)