It is more or less certain that YSR Congress party’s Rajya Sabha member from Nellore Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy is going to quit the party and join the Telugu Desam Party sooner or later.
Vemireddy, who was given the YSRCP ticket from Nellore Lok Sabha seat, was upset with party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy for not entertaining his lobbying for fielding the candidates suggested by him in the assembly segments falling under Nellore LS seat.
After Jagan gave the party ticket to Mohammad Khaleel Ahmed from Nellore (city) assembly constituency on the recommendation of sitting MLA P Anil Kumar Yadav, who was shifted to Narsaraopet Lok Sabha constituency, Vemireddy snapped his ties with the party and went into hiding.
When Jagan visited Delhi a few days ago, Vemireddy avoided him and left for Dubai. Later, he returned to Hyderabad, but has not been accessible to the party.
He is learnt to have got in touch with TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu and may join the party anytime.
According to sources, Vemireddy told Naidu that he is not interested in contesting the Lok Sabha elections, but requested that he be made the chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams trust board, if the party comes to power.
He even agreed to fund the electioneering of the TDP in Nellore district, if he is given the assurance of TTD chairman post. Naidu, however, did not give him any immediate assurance, but told him to contest the elections first.
“I shall consider your request for the TTD chairman post, but that comes at a later stage. But contest the Lok Sabha polls. You can become the TTD chairman even if you become an MP,” the TDP chief told him.
For now, Vemireddy has not given any nod.
“He is basically not interested in contesting the Lok Sabha elections. He may ask for the party ticket for his wife, but if there is no choice, he may contest the elections,” sources said.