The defection of Pamarru MLA Uppuleti Kalpana into the ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh is believed to be triggering more defections from YSR Congress party into the TDP.
According to AP SC Corporation chairperson Jupudi Prabhakar Rao, at least seven more YSR Congress party MLAs were ready to join the TDP and they were in consultation with the party leaders. “Most of them are from weaker sections. They feel suffocated in the YSR Congress party which has respect for Dalits and STs,” Rao said.
He strongly defended defection of Kalpana into the TDP. “There is no point in staying in a party compromising on the self-respect. That is why they are breaking the shackles and coming out of the YSRC to join the TDP which is pro-weaker sections,” Rao said.
There is no need to take Jupudi’s statement on its face value, but it is definitely a sort of mind game being played by the TDP to demoralize the YSR Congress party, which is launching a counter-attack on the TDP by attracting disgruntled elements.
