The YSRCP led by Andhra Pradesh CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday took the official step in dealing with the rebellion of Kanumuru Raghurama Krishnam Raju, party MP from Narasapuram parliamentary constituency in West Godavari district.
On the instructions of Jagan, a delegation of YSRC MPs along with legal experts met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and submitted a representation to him seeking disqualification of Raghurama Krishnam Raju from the parliament membership.
The delegation comprised parliamentary party leader V Vijay Sai Reddy, Rajampet MP P Mithun Reddy, Narsaraopet MP Lavu Krishna Devarayalu, Rajahmundry MP Margani Bharat and Bapatla MP Nandigam Suresh.
Surprisingly, Jagan authorised Rajahmundry MP Margani Bharat to submit the petition on behalf of the party instead of parliamentary party leader Vijay Sai Reddy.
It is said to be a strategic move as Bharat hails from adjacent East Godavari district and a junior most MP. Secondly, if Sai Reddy signs the petition, it might look prejudiced, as Raju questioned his authority.
Sources said Jagan’s strategy is not to suspend or expel Raghurama Krishnam Raju for his anti-party activities and make things easy for him.
Instead, he wants to use his good offices with the Centre to get Raju disqualified from the parliament membership on the lines of Sharad Yadav, who was disqualified from Rajya Sabha membership for going against Janata Dal (U) president Nitish Kumar.
“Jagan’s idea is to politically isolate Raghurama Krishnam Raju. If he is disqualified, he would have no face value and the BJP might not entertain him. And simultaneously, the state government can target his financial roots,” sources said.