Yaralagadda quits YSRCP, seeks Chandrababu’s appointment

VIJAYAWADA: YSRCP Gannavaram leader Yarlagadda Venkata Rao on Friday announced his decision to quit the party, during a meeting held with his followers and supporters in Vijayawada.

Venkata Rao said that he was trying to get an appointment with TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu and urge him to announce his candidature as MLA from Gannavaram Assembly constituency in the 2024 elections. “If TDP announces my candidature as MLA from Gannavaram, I will win the seat as a gift to Chandrababu Naidu. I will then meet YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in the Assembly,” Venkata Rao said.

Venkata Rao said that he returned to Gannavaram because of his interest in politics, despite obtaining a green card in the United States of America (USA) in 2005. “During my padayatra in the constituency, I interacted with people and came to know about their plight. People of Gannavaram are also aware of the victory of Vallabhaneni Vamsi in the 2019 elections. Even though I was defeated, my followers and supporters still stood behind me. Those who worked along with me are also denied posts,” he said.

Reacting to the remarks made by YSRCP general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, Venkata Rao said, “A few days ago, I asked the YSRCP leadership to announce my candidature as MLA from Gannavaram. However, he didn’t communicate this properly to the top leadership. Sajjala’s remarks hurt me a lot and I don't deserve this treatment for striving hard for YSRCP in Gannavaram, which has been TDP’s home turf for many years.”

Venkata Rao said that he had never met Chandrababu Naidu, Lokesh and Devineni Umamaheswara Rao. “How can intelligence officials create such reports of meeting them? I am very thankful to YS Jagan for not giving an appointment and announcing my candidature as MLA from Gannavaram,” he said sarcastically.