The sudden appearance of senior YSR Congress party leader and former minister Jogi Ramesh at a Telugu Desam Party-led public event at Nuzvid on Monday has landed the ruling party leaders in an embarrassing situation.
The TDP conducted a rally at Nuzvid as part of the unveiling of a statue of late Gowthu Latchanna. The rally was attended by TDP leaders including Minister Parthasarathy and Palasa MLA Gowthu Sirisha.
Suddenly, Jogi Ramesh came to the spot and took part in the rally. He was found interacting with key TDP figures on the dais, leading to intense speculations that he might jump the fence and join the TDP.
It was not known as to who had invited Jogi Ramesh to the TDP rally, but the accusing finger pointed out at Kolusu Parthasarathy, who had also defected from the YSRCP into the TDP before the elections.
Hours after the meeting, Parthasarathy seems to have got a dressing down from the TDP leadership, which was obviously not happy with Jogi Ramesh, attending the TDP rally, as he was an accused in the case related to attack on TDP president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu in October 2021.
Parthasarathy told reporters later that he was not aware how Jogi Ramesh came to the TDP rally.
“Maybe, he had come on his own and it was very unfortunate. But I shall not resort to any such steps that would cause an embarrassment to the TDP,” he said.
Jogi Ramesh has been visibly distancing himself from YSRCP activities in recent months and maintaining a very low profile, avoiding direct involvement in YSRCP's core activities, after he was questioned by the CID police in connection with the attack on Naidu’s residence.
There have been speculations regarding his potential defection to the TDP or Jana Sena and that he has been negotiating with TDP and Jana Sena leaders, seeking a pathway to join the opposition coalition.
Adding to the record of his outbursts against Naidu and Pawan Kalyan, he had faced allegations of corruption during his ministerial tenure, including cases related to the Agrigold lands scam, which also implicated his son.
These factors have raised questions about whether the TDP would welcome him into their ranks without resistance from within.
While Jogi Ramesh has not officially confirmed his intentions, his recent association with TDP activities has stirred widespread speculation.
Supporters of Jogi Ramesh argue that his participation in the statue unveiling ceremony was non-political and solely intended to honor Gowthu Latchanna’s legacy.
However, critics within the YSRCP and political analysts view this as a calculated move towards transitioning into the TDP fold.