YLP threatened me to join BJP, alleges Venkanna

Vijayawada: TDP MLC Buddha Venkanna said that AP Hindi Academy chairman and former Rajya Sabha member Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad (YLP) asked him to quit the TDP and join the BJP.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Friday, he said that Lakshmi Prasad called him on Thursday night from Rajya Sabha member Sujana Chowdary's house and suggested to him to join BJP.

He alleged that the former Rajya Sabha member threatened him that he would face cases and other problems if he does not join the BJP.

Venkanna said that he would lodge a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) against Lakshmi Prasad's warning. He requested the police to conduct an inquiry and take action in this regard.

He also said that he would not be scared by the warning of Lakshmi Prasad. He said that he did not commit any mistakes and anybody could conduct probe into his activities.

He criticised the four TDP Rajya Sabha members who joined the BJP for cheating the party leadership and also displayed a photograph of Sujana Chowdary and CM Ramesh having dinner with YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy at the same table.

Venkanna pointed out that the TDP workers were protecting the interests of the party and even sacrificing their lives. But the leaders were behaving against the spirit of the party, he said.

"The TDP leaders were being forced to join the BJP by threatening them with raids by investigative agencies and other illegal methods," he said and added that the four MPs joined the BJP to protect their own interests.

Telugu Yuvatha State president Devineni Avinash said that they would fight to protect the TDP workers. No one can touch the party workers, he said and added that the party leadership would protect them at any cost.

TDP leaders Varla Ramaiah, Kadiyala Buchibabu and several other leaders were present.