Political turncoats turn active in AP with general elections nearing

Visakhapatnam: With the political atmosphere heating up slowly due to fast approaching elections, the main political parties have started an exercise for finalisation of candidates triggering a spate of resignations in Andhra Pradesh.

As anticipated, election time becomes the right time for the ‘aaya ram gaya rams’ popular in political vocabulary in India attributing it to those who defect from one party to another. It is derived from frequent political defections since 1967 in Haryana.

With a guaranteed multi-cornered elections, those who have been denied official nomination or could get the hint of denial of ticket are jumping the fence to rival parties after coming to some deal. The process gained momentum with YSRCP MLC from Visakhapatnam Vamsi Krishna Srinivas Yadav springing a surprise by joining Pawan Kalyan-led Jana Sena Party. This was preceded by YSRCP district president and former MLA Panchakarla Ramesh Babu joining the JSP.

Incidentally, the ruling YSRCP is ahead of other parties in finalising the tickets in most of the Assembly seats by appointing in-charges.

For the first time, it has introduced transferring the sitting MLAs from one constituency to another and asking some MPs like MVV Satyanarayana, who represents Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha seat, to contest from Visakhapatnam East Assembly seat. The fate of Industries Minister Gudivada Amarnath, who represents Anakapalle, is not known.

TDP, which formed an alliance with JSP, is yet to announce candidates as both parties are yet to come to an understanding on sharing of seats and the constituencies from where they will put up common candidates. Meanwhile, both the parties are facing lot of pressure for allotment of tickets to many of the aspirants.

TDP MP from Vijayawada Kesineni Srinivas (Nani) has already resigned and joined the YSRCP. On the other hand, YSRCP MP from Machilipatnam Vallabhaneni Balashowry resigned and decided to join TDP. Prominent Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham from the Godavari delta is likely to join JSP soon.

Ruling party MP from Kurnool S Sanjeev Kumar has resigned from YSRCP and reports said he is likely to join TDP. Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and Narsaraopet MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu are sulking over reports that YSRCP leadership is not considering their renomination amid speculation that they may join TDP or JSP.

Dissident YSRCP MP from Narsapur K Raghuramakrishna Raju is also expected to join the yellow brigade formally. Cricketer Ambati Rayudu after a very short stint in YSRCP visited JSP office and held a meeting with Pawan Kalyan amid speculation that he may join the party if he is given a Lok Sabha ticket.

With Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sister Sharmila taking over as the APCC president, Mangalagiri MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy on being denied YSRCP ticket made a homecoming to the grand old party. Discontent is brewing in the ruling party with many aspirants and those supporting them organising showdowns against most likely candidates in Sullurpet, Itchhapuram, Nuzvid, Gajuwaka and other areas.