Andhra Pradesh: TDP MLA Mallikarjuna Reddy quits, to join YSRCP

VIJAYAWADA: Peeved by the undemocratic behaviour of Chandrababu Naidu and his leadership, Rajampet MLA Meda Mallikarjuna Reddy has quit TDP and has announced that he would join YSR Congress Party.

Speaking to reporters after meeting party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy here on Tuesday, he said, "It has become unbearable to stay in TDP as there has been no democracy and value system there and being a follower of Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy, I find it very appropriate to join YSR Congress Party under the dynamic leadership of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy."

"The contrast in the democratic values between Chandrababu Naidu and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has come to the fore with Chandrababu Naidu trading with 23 MLAs and buying them like cattle from a shandy, while I was asked by the Leader of Opposition to quit the assembly and severe links with TDP to join YSRCP. That is the qualitative difference and the contrast between the two parties and the two leaders and I feel like homecoming joining YSRCP. By month end after completing the formalities of my resignation, I will formally join the Party," he said.

Rubbishing the contention that had quit the party following differences with Adinarayana Reddy, who had crossed over to TDP and got a ministerial berth, he said that there is no truth and they are just rumours.

"There is lot of difference between us. He is a turncoat and has crossed over manipulating the mandate while in my case I have been with the people and have full support of people and am following the path of values and morals in the political system which are being upheld by the young leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. That is the reason why I was told to complete the formalities like submitting the resignation in the prescribed format to the Legislative Assembly and primary membership to TDP before joining YSRCP," he said.