Senior Tollywood actor Manchu Mohan Babu who's been protesting against the ruling Telugu Desam Party over non reimbursement of fee, met YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at the latter's Lotus Pond residence in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
He came along with his son Vishnu Manchu and officially joined the party with YS Jagan Mohan Reddy welcoming him into the party fold.
Mohan Babu, Manchu Vishnu and his wife Veronica were seen paying last respects to YS Jagan's uncle YS Vivekananda Reddy who was murdered in Pulivendula. Veronica is YS Jagan's cousin.
“Jagan will do good for the Telugu people, he will definitely become the CM,” Mohan Babu declared, expressing confidence that the YSRCP would sweep the state polls.
Speaking to reporters on the occasion after donning the YSRCP shawl over his shoulders, Mohan Babu said that he was not joining the party for a post or for power, and also reiterated his long-time association with former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder NT Rama Rao.
“All parties invited me, whether it is the TDP, YSRCP or the BJP. It is my wish to join any party at any time. That is the nature of democracy. I will campaign for the YSRCP and follow whatever plans the party has for me,” he added, denying any ulterior motive on the timing of his decision.
He also praised former CM YS Rajasekhar Reddy, Jagan’s father, and pointed out that support for Jagan was growing by the day across the state.
Mohan Babu was known for his long association with NT Rama Rao and had also shared screen space with the latter in many films. He had campaigned for the TDP and stood by Naidu during the internal party coup against NTR.
He was even nominated to the Rajya Sabha on a party ticket, serving one term from 1995 to 2000. The actor was also business partners with Naidu as a promoter in Heritage Foods, which was started by the latter. Since then, the duo have had a falling out and no longer see eye-to-eye.
Though Naidu and Mohan Babu have met on several occasions and exchanged pleasantries, they were quick to insist that the meetings had no political undertones.