MP Avanthi Srinivas quits TDP for YSRCP

In a major shock to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu, a prominent MP from coastal Andhra Pradesh has submitted his papers on Thursday and is set to join the YSRCP, the main Opposition party.

Anakapalle Lok Sabha member M. Srinivasa Rao, also known as Avanthi Srinivas, after sending his resignation to the party chief drove to Lotus Pond to meet YS Jaganmohan Reddy.

The YSRCP, which was considered weak in the Visakhapatnam area where Jagan's mother Vijayalaskmi lost the Lok Sabha election, has been trying to gain a foothold. It is said that party Rajya Sabha Member Vijayasai Reddy played a crucial role in bringing the Anakapalle leader into the party fold.

Sources say that Avanthi has been asking Naidu for the Bhimilee Assembly seat. State HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao represents Bheemili.

Srinivasa, who joined the actor Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party, was elected as MLA from Bheemili Assembly constituency in 2009. Later, he contested as TDP candidate from the Anakapalle Lok Sabha segment and won the election.

“People are not ready to believe Naidu with his frequent changes of alliances," Avanthi said after he met Jagan. "His attitude has caused severe loss to the state. Reports of corruption in the state have reached the Centre and the PM. But Jaganmohan Reddy stood his ground. He won’t change his word because of elections. So I have decided to join YSRCP.”

Avanthi alleged that Naidu is running the state by intimidating the Opposition with the help of yellow media and the police.

Reacting to the development, Naidu said that the YSRCP is trying to hijack his party leaders under a plan hatched by forces that are trying to push the state into oblivion. “Being a TDP MP, Avanthi has benefitted a lot. Now close to elections, he changes his loyalty,” Naidu said.

The chief minister said that the recent flow of leaders from the TDP would not trouble him as those who are loyal to the party would stay with him.