Anam Reddy’s ‘poaching spree’ worries YSRCP in Venkatagiri constituency
Former Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy continues to enact a double role, one as the incumbent MLA for Venkatagiri Assembly constituency and also the TDP’s nominee for Atmakur segment in the coming general elections.
Taking advantage of the clout he wields in both the constituencies, the senior politician is leaving no stone unturned to dent the prospects of YSR Congress Party, from which he had walked out citing ideological inconsistencies and an “attack on his self-respect”.
Despite his hectic campaign in Atmakur constituency, Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy spared some time to visit the famous Poleramma folk goddess temple in Venkatagiri late on Tuesday. He used the chance not only to o£er prayers, but also to revive his old contacts and seek their support for TDP candidate Kurugondla Lakshmi Priya and BJP nominee for Tirupati Lok Sabha seat V. Varaprasada Rao.
‘Atma’ comment
Several YSRCP leaders donned the TDP shawl and joined the yellow party in the presence of Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy. Venkatagiri
YSRCP candidate Nedurumalli Ramkumar had recently remarked that Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy might have left for Atmakur, but his ‘Atma’ stayed back in Venkatagiri. Mr. Ramkumar’s hard-hitting statement stood vindicated with the exodus of key leaders into the TDP.
Quizzed by The Hindu on whether he was deliberately meddling with his neighbouring constituency, as being alleged by the YSRCP, Mr. Ramanarayana Reddy had no qualms in admitting so.
“Ever since the party sidelined me and made him (Ramkumar) the in-charge of the constituency, he started rubbing me the wrong way with unnecessary comments. I am only doing what I have to for my party,” he claried.
Mr. Ramkumar was not available for his comments on the issue.