Another YSR Congress MLA quits Jagan-led YSRC to join TDP

Vijayawada, June 17: N Amarnath Reddy on Thursday, June 16, became the 20th MLA from YSR Congress to cross over to ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh.

Reddy represents Palamaneru Assembly constituency in Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's native Chittoor district.

In fact, it's a return to the parent party for Reddy, who had previously been a TDP legislator for three terms. He was once a close confidante of Naidu. His father was a TDP MP from Chittoor.

Reddy had joined the YSRC ahead of the 2014 elections hoping that the party would capture power.

"As an opposition MLA, I could not do anything for my constituents. There is no hope that I can do anything in the next three years. So I have decided to return to the TDP for the development of my constituency," Reddy told reporters, emerging out of the Chief Minister's residence.

He also hit out at YSRC president Jaganmohan Reddy for alleging that TDP was purchasing his party legislators "like cattle" by offering them Rs 30 crore each.

"I am ready to swear on my daughter. Will he too swear on his daughter and prove that we are purchased for Rs 30 crore. I was an MLA when I joined YSRC. Jagan should tell how much he offered me then," he said.

Reddy said he was ready to quit and seek re-election. "If I lose, I will quit politics permanently. Will you close down your party if I win," he said.

PTI