HYDERABAD: Scoring another success in its ongoing ‘operation akarsh’, the ruling TDP has netted former Union minister Annayyagari Sai Prathap, a close pal of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Giving further impetus to the TDP leadership’s efforts to improve party’s electoral prospects in Kadapa district, the home turf of YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Sai Prathap on Thursday joined the yellow party.
Sai Prathap, who belongs to Balija community, a sub caste of the numerically strong Kapus in the State, after taking the membership of the TDP in the presence of party boss and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu here, said, “Chief Minister Naidu is striving hard to develop all regions in the State. Hence, I have decided strengthen his hands by joining the party.”
The TDP leadership is of the view that Sai Prathap’s entry would tilt the political scales in Kadapa in its favour as Balijas have a strong presence in the Rayalaseema region. “I am sure Sai Prathap’s induction would strengthen our party in Rayalaseema, particularly Kadapa district,” said TDP’s AP unit president Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao, soon after inducting the Congress veteran into the party fold.
In fact, Sai Prathap, who had represented Rajampet segment in Kadapa district for six times in the Lok Sabha, has been keeping himself aloof from active politics ever since he bit the dust in the 2014 polls.
Interestingly, Kala Venkata Rao further said, “Soon, many more MLAs and leaders from the YSRC will join the TDP. Nobody is happy in the YSRC. Jagan’s autocratic nature is hurting them. Hence, many of the MLAs are holding talks with us to join our party. Shortly, you will see some other leaders of the YSRC taking the membership of the TDP,” hesaid.