Senior BJP leader Katasani Rambhupal Reddy, a five-time MLA from Panyam constituency in Kurnool district, is all set to join the YSR Congress party.
According to sources close to Katasani, he will hold a meeting with his followers on April 18 and make an announcement to this effect.
He already had a talk with YSRC president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and got an assurance for the ticket for contesting from Nandyal parliamentary constituency in 2019 elections.
Katasani’s entry is expected to give a big boost to the YSRC especially in Banaganpalle, Panyam, and Koilkuntla and Dhone constituencies.
Since Shilpa brothers, who consolidated the TDP in Nandyal in the past, are also in the YSRC now, Katasani would add to the strength of the YSRC, say sources.
Reddy, a strong leader from Panyam, was in fact supposed to join the YSRC in 2014 itself. However, he insisted that he be given the assembly ticket from Panyam, but Jagan rejected it since he favoured the long-time loyalist Gauru Charita Reddy. At one stage, he thought of joining the TDP, but finally he joined the BJP.
Till recently, there were reports that Katasani would join the TDP and ask for Panyam seat. But somehow, there was no response from the TDP leadership.
The YSRC took the opportunity and invited Katasani into the YSRC. Though he is still asking for Panyam assembly seat, the YSRC leadership reportedly convinced him to contest for Nandyal Lok Sabha seat, sources said.
