(Image source from: Newindianexpress.com)

YSR Congress MP Butta Renuka Joins TDP:- YSR Congress MP Butta Renuka, has finally jumped over to Andhra Pradesh’s ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today, more than three years she made her first attempt to join the party.

The Kurnool MP and her followers were welcomed into the party by the TDP supremo and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, at his camp residence this morning. After S P Y Reddy of Nandyal, also in Kurnool district, Renuka is the second YSRC MP to switch sides to the TDP. The MP’s husband, Neelakantham already joined TDP in 2014. Soon after the elections, Renuka also planned to join TDP, but postponed indefinitely. She, however, continued to maintain a close relationship with TDP leaders over the years.

Renuka has been demanding to allot party ticket to her in the 2019 elections, but Jagan turned down her plea.

(Video Source: I News)

Meanwhile, TDP President and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu assured the party ticket and also promised to extend financial assistance for election expenditure.  

The YSRC under the Anti-Defection Law, had sought the disqualification of S P Y Reddy and had petitioned the Lok Sabha speaker against him. But, the plea has been pending for over three years. The YSRC alleged that the Kurnool MP was lured by the ruling party with money offers.

After the 2014 elections, the party had eight MPs in the Lok Sabha from Andhra Pradesh, but the number has fallen to six. 

“I am happy to associate with the TDP for development of the state. The chief minister has been striving to develop the state after all the turmoil caused by the bifurcation,” Renuka told reporters in the presence of Naidu.

The chief minister appreciated her for joining hands with him in the development process. Renuka would organize a public meeting in Kurnool soon, said the TDP sources.

SUPRAJA