With YSR Congress party led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy losing power in the just concluded assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, several party leaders are said to be looking for jumping into other parties to safeguard their political future.
Some of them have reportedly sent feelers to the Telugu Desam Party expressing their interest in joining the party, but party president, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh are said to be firm on not accepting anybody from the YSRCP, at least in the near future, as it would lead to unrest within the TDP at the grassroots level.
Even Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan is not keen on accepting the defectors from the YSRCP at this stage.
He wants to build up the party gradually and doesn’t want to take up any step that would antagonise his alliance partner Naidu.
However, the BJP is said to be willing to accept leaders from YSRCP who have the potential and could help the party expand its base in Andhra Pradesh.
According to sources, former health minister and YSRCP leader Vidadala Rajini is said to be in talks with the BJP leaders seeking a plunge into the saffron party.
Rajini, who has been facing charges of financial irregularities and whose properties have been frozen by the banks, is more interested in safeguarding her businesses and there is no other option but to jump into the BJP.
Using her clout in Delhi, she is understood to have contacted some national BJP leaders. However, they won’t be able to take any decision without consulting the local BJP leadership.
“If the BJP invites such defectors from the YSRCP, it is against the alliance spirit and Naidu will not keep quiet, but will definitely take it up with the top BJP leadership,” sources said.