Congress legislator in Andhra joins YSR party

The ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh received another jolt Monday as a party legislator from West Godavari district joined YSR Congress party.

M. Rajesh Kumar, who represents Chintalapudi (a constituency reserved for scheduled castes), joined the YSRC in the presence of party's honorary president Y.S. Vijayamma.

He told reporters that he had sent his resignation to assembly Speaker N. Maohar. Rajesh Kumar said following the death of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the development activities in his constituency had come to a standstill.
Interestingly, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader TDP leader K. Raja Rao, who was defeated by Rajesh Kumar in 2009 elections, also announced that he would be joining YSRC on Nov 4.

TDP legislator Taneti Vanita, who represents Gopalapuram (SC reserved) constituency in West Godavari district is also joining YSRC on Nov 4. She quit TDP last Saturday.

Her decision came a few days after former TDP legislator P. Venkatakrishna Rao also joined the YSRC.

Several leaders from both Congress and TDP were joining YSRC during the ongoing 'padyatra' by Sharmila, sister of jailed YSRC president and MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana told reporters that some Congress legislators were quitting the party for their vested interests. He said the developments would have no impact on the Congress government in the state.