Jaggampeta YSRCP MLA Jyothula Chanti Babu likely to join TDP in January

RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: In a major blow to the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in the erstwhile Godavari districts, Jaggampeta MLA Jyothula Chanti Babu is likely to shift his loyalties to Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

Chanti Babu is a close relative of TDP senior leader Jyothula Nehru. He contested as an MLA twice from Jaggampeta on behalf of the TDP in the 2009 and 2014 Assembly elections. He even served as the chairman of Yeleru project during the TDP rule.

Chanti Babu shifted his loyalties to the YSRCP from the TDP in 2019. YS Jagan gave him a chance to contest as an MLA from Jaggampeta Assembly constituency and he won the elections. Almost a week ago, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy called on four MLAs from the two Godavari districts and they were told that they would be replaced. One among them was Chanti Babu.

In the 2019 Assembly elections, the YSRCP won in 26 Assembly constituencies out of the total 32 in Godavari districts. However, the TDP managed to win only six seats though it was the party's stronghold since its inception. During the meeting, YS Jagan made it clear to the legislators that their graph was very weak and they would face a defeat in the forthcoming elections. Chanti Babu was one among the four legislators who met the Chief Minister.

Sources said that Chanti Babu is likely to join the TDP on January 5, 2024. On the other hand, the YSRCP leadership also hinted denial of tickets to Pithapuram MLA Pandem Dorababu and Prathipadu MLA Parvatha Prasad. A couple of weeks ago, Mangalagiri MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy, who is a close associate of YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s family quit the YSRCP and as an MLA citing personal reasons.