In a significant setback for the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in its stronghold of Kadapa district, eight corporators from the Kadapa Municipal Corporation have decided to resign from the party and join the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Reports indicate that the eight corporators traveled to Vijayawada on Sunday to formally join the TDP in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday.
Among the defectors is a relative of former Deputy Chief Minister Amzad Basha and a female minority corporator.
Efforts by YSRCP MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy to convince the corporators to stay back proved futile. Even party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s intervention failed to change their decision.
Critics have blamed the defections on the YSRCP leadership’s alleged neglect of party cadres and perceived arrogance during their tenure in power.
Recent incidents at municipal corporation meetings reportedly aggravated the situation, pushing the corporators to reconsider their loyalties. The corporators also felt abandoned by senior leaders following YSRCP's loss of power.
Tensions were heightened during a recent all-party municipal meeting on November 7, where a chair was removed from the dais for MLA Madhavi Reddy, sparking controversy. TDP leaders reportedly capitalized on the issue, making it a prestige matter and allegedly orchestrating retaliation.
Additionally, Kadapa Mayor Suresh Babu’s remarks about potentially approaching the court for funds under the 15th Finance Commission caused dissatisfaction among the corporators. They feared this move would stall developmental projects, further fueling discontent.
This defection is seen as a major blow to the YSRCP in Kadapa, a district long regarded as its stronghold. Political observers view the development as an indication of growing cracks within the party’s base in the region.