The rumour that is doing rounds in the political circles of Andhra Pradesh is about the entry of former MLA and TDP general secretary Bonda Uma Maheswara Rao switching over to the ruling YSR Congress.
Bonda Uma, had made his first move through a prominent MP of the ruling party some time back and he is in constant touch with the leader.
When the proposal was taken to the notice of chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, it is said that the chief minister had asked both Bonda Uma and the MP to wait for some time.
Sources say that Jagan wanted to take the opinions of all the leaders from Vijayawada before giving his nod to Bonda Uma’s entry.
The initial proposals were to accommodate Bonda Uma in Vijayawada East Assembly constituency, where Devineni Avinash is currently working.
Sources said that the chief minister is in favour of shifting Avinash to Vijayawada Lok Sabha constituency against incumbent Kesineni Srinivas, who emerged as strong Kamma leader in the city.
Avinash too is an accepted Kamma leader in the state politics and being young, the chief minister felt that this youth icon would be an accepted candidate for the Lok Sabha seat.
However, the talks were stopped when the acceptance from the cadre was raised. The big question before the top leadership is whether the YSR Congress cadre would welcome Bonda Uma into the party or not.
It was Bonda Uma who hurled most abusive challenges at Jagan Mohan Reddy on the floor of the Assembly.
Bonda Uma’s statements against Jagan in those days were not considered as just criticism but abuse, which did not go well down the line.
It is said that the cadre may not welcome Bonda Uma into the party even if the top leadership accepts and imposes him on them.
Even if Jagan accepts and admits Bonda Uma, it is likely that the cadre may not work for him or accept him as their leader for his most uncharitable abuses against Jagan in the last five years.
It is to be seen what decision Jagan would take and how the MP would push forward Bonda Uma’s candidature in the days to come.