The comment made by senior Telugu Desam Party leader and Andhra Pradesh labour minister K Atchen Naidu that a senior leader from YSR Congress party is going to join the ruling party soon has created ripples in the political circles.
Achen told the media in an informal chat that attempts were on to bring a big leader from the YSRCP into the TDP his party.
He said the party had initiated talks with a senior YSRCP leader and a deal was being struck.
"We are trying all possible means to bring him. If he comes, our objective would be achieved. The YSRCP will be left with just a couple of MLAs," he said.
It has triggered a big discussion in the media and political circles as to who that leader could be whose defection would demoralise the YSRC.
According to a channel report, the leader could be Nellore MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, who the report says has not been in good terms with YSRC president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. It says if the deal is struck, Mekapati will join the TDP along with his son.
However, sources say it could just be a mind game being played by the TDP to create confusion among the YSRC rank and file and demoralise Jagan, who has been on his padayatra.
Already, Jagan has started making enquiries about the possible defectors from the party, sources said.
