‘YSRCP will not contest MLC by-election’

TDP’s deeksha in Tirupati an attempt to divert attention from four years of misrule, alleges Roja

Nagari MLA R.K. Roja on Sunday said the YSR Congress Party, as a matter of policy, would not field a candidate for the Chittoor MLC by-election, which was necessitated following the demise of TDP leader Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu.

Addressing the media here, Ms. Roja said party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had decided not to politicise the situation. “If the TDP decides to field any member of the departed leader’s family, the YSRCP will detest from fielding a candidate,” she said. Referring to the ‘deeksha’ proposed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Tirupati on Monday, Ms. Roja said it was an attempt to divert the attention of the people from “four years of misrule.” “Both the BJP and TDP have cheated the people on the Special Category Status (SCS) issue. Now, the TDP is blaming the YSRCP and spreading rumours that Mr. Reddy is joining the NDA,” she said. “The YSRCP will not join hands with any party in the 2019 elections, and it will go it alone,” she asserted.

‘Naidu in grip of fear’

A sense of fear had gripped Mr. Naidu as he was already seeing defeat, she said. “The growing popularity of Mr. Reddy during his padayatra has forced Mr. Naidu to seek the support of the people,” Ms. Roja said.

‘Secret understanding’

She accused Mr. Naidu of being more keen on enhancing the number of Assembly constituencies than achieving SCS. Ms. Roja further said the TDP was entering into a secret pact with the Congress, which was responsible for all the perils of the State. “Mr. Naidu has taken a U-turn on SCS as Mr. Reddy has been getting closer to the people with his committed fight against the Centre,” she said. When Mr. Naidu had settled for special package in lieu of SCS, it was the YSRCP MPs who had raised their voice in Parliament. “It is a shame the TDP MPs are still holding on to their post and lobbying with the Centre for the TDP’ s re-induction to the NDA,” she said.

Ms. Roja questioned the TDP’s decision to appoint the wife of Maharashtra Minister as member of the TTD Trust Board.