Venkatagiri civic chief quits TDP, joins YSRCP

Nellore: In major setback to the ruling party in the district, Venkatagiri Municipal Chairperson Donthu Sarada along with two councillors shifted loyalties to YSR Congress party (YSRCP) in the presence of party chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Two councillors, Challa Mallikarjuna and Kasa Parameswari of local municipality and also TDP leaders from Dakkili have shifted their loyalties to the opposition.

According to sources, Telugu Desam party had bagged 22 wards out of 25 in Venkatagiri municipality. As many as 11 councillors have expressed their dissatisfaction with attitude of the local MLA Ramakrishna and consequently there has been animosity between Chairperson Sarada and local MLA. She has been extending her helping hand with her own funds in municipal limits.

She has been supporting the victimised families to an extent of Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000, who lost their family heads and the local MLA reportedly warned the Chairperson Sarada to stop such social activities in the town. Despite warnings of the MLA Sarada had continued her activities in the civic body. So, disputes arose between the two people. MLA has also been taking up development activities without informing the chairperson.

At one point of time, Chairperson Sarada decided to quit the TDP but the Ministers P Narayana, Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and also party district President B Ravichandra convinced her and assured that they would resolve the issue.

'Even after repeated discussions with MLA Ramakrishna there is no improvement in situation. MLA has been trying to dominate the Chairperson failing to give any priority to her in the council meetings several times,' said a follower of Sarada, who supported her move.