Amaravati: MLC Dokka Manikya Varaprasad, Rahman join YSRCP

Amaravati: With the start of local body elections, exodus of politicians seeking greener pastures too began. TDP MLC Dokka Manikya Varaprasad and some other TDP leaders from Guntur district joined YSRCP in the presence of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at Tadepalli on Monday. It may be recalled that Varaprasad had already resigned from Legislative Council. On Monday, he quit the TDP as well before switching his loyalty.

Speaking to media later, he claimed that he was joining the YSRC to be a part of "the development agenda being pursued by Jagan."

Another former TDP MLA S A Rahman also joined the YSRCP in the presence of Jagan.

Rahman quit the TDP in December last, purportedly in protest against its stand of opposing Visakhapatnam the executive capital of the state.

Rahman, who had previously served as chairman of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority, claimed the YSRCP would win the Visakhapatnam mayor seat in the elections slated for March 23.

Varaprasad said he had in fact wanted to join the YSRC back in 2014 but instead joined the TDP for some reasons. "But I did not get due respect in the TDP. The attitude of the TDP leadership left me anguished," he said.

Though he sought the Tadikonda (SC) seat in the 2019 elections, the TDP fielded him from Prathipadu (SC) knowing well that he would lose, he said.