Another YSRC MLA set to join TDP

VIJAYAWADA: The cross-over of legislators from the Opposition YSR Congress seems to continue as another party MLA today announced that he would join the TDP later this week.
K Venkata Ramana Murthy, YSRC MLA from Patapatnam in Srikakulam district, announced in his hometown today that he would formally join the TDP in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on March 4.

"I want to join hands with the Chief Minister in the development of the state. The Chief Minister is doing a lot for the development of the state after the Congress left it in tatters due to the bifurcation," Ramana Murthy said.

Six MLAs and one MLC of YSRC have already joined the TDP in the last ten days.

Meanwhile, former MLA from Srikakulam B Laxmana Rao quit the YSRC and joined the TDP at the party's general body meeting here today.

Some other leaders from Srikakulam district also joined the TDP today.

YSRC leader from East Godavari district Boddu Venkata Ramana also joined the ruling party in the presence of Chandrababu Naidu today.

Ramana is the son of TDP MLC Boddu Bhaskara Rama Rao. Ramana had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election as YSRC candidate from Rajamahendravaram.

Rattled by crossing of floor by six of its MLAs, YSR Congress is likely to move a no-confidence motion against the TDP government in the upcoming Budget session of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, seeking to build a case of disqualification against the legislators who have switched over to the ruling party.

YSRC's strength in the 175-member Assembly has fallen to 61 while that of the TDP's rose to 110.

Accusing Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of "alluring and purchasing" some of his party MLAs, Jagan had last week dared him to ask the "defected" legislators to resign from their Assembly seats and seek a fresh mandate.