It is more or less certain that at least four MLAs from YSR Congress party are all set to join the ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh.
The MLAs – Bhuma Nagi Reddy from Nandyal, Bhuma Akhila Priya from Allagadda, Adinarayana Reddy from Jammalamadugu and Jaleel Khan from YSR Congress party – will meet AP Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday evening and formally join the TDP.
Names of a few more YSR Congress party MLAs including Sujaya Venkata Ranga Rao from Bobbili and two from Prakasam district are also doing rounds in the political circles for a possible defection into the TDP.
Sources said Naidu has promised Cabinet berths to at least two of the MLAs. According to strong rumours, Bhuma Nagi Reddy and Adinarayana Reddy would be accommodated in the Cabinet.
While Bhuma is expected to get Power portfolio, Adinarayana Reddy might get Forests. Naidu might reshuffle his Cabinet to accommodate them and in the process, a couple of TDP ministers might have to sacrifice their posts, sources said.
The prime reason for Bhuma’s entry into the TDP is said to be this lure of Cabinet berth, because during his entire political career, he had never become a minister.
“Even if the YSR Congress party comes to power in 2019, all that Bhuma will get only a Cabinet berth. When he is getting the Cabinet berth now, why should he wait till 2019?” an analyst reasoned.
