In a major blow to the Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh, former Hindupur MLA Abdul Ghani quit the party and joined YSR Congress Party in presence of the party Chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy. This could dent the Yellow Party’s fortunes in Hindupur.
Ghani is a close confidant of Nandamuri Balakrishna, the current Hindupur MLA. It is believed that Ghani, who was Hindupur MLA from 2009-2014, was convinced by TDP Chief to give up the seat for Balakrishna. Ghani said that he will contest against Balakrishna from the same seat and expressed his confidence in winning because he is considered as a localite in the constituency, unlike Balakrishna who is a non-localite! Hence, this is seen as a move that could hurt TDP’s chances in the constituency.
Hindupur has been a traditional stronghold of the Telugu Desam Party and has been held by the party since1985. Despite TDP losing in 1989, Hindupur was a seat that was still retained by the TDP. The Founder of TDP, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, was elected from Hindupur in Anantapur district in 1985, 1989 and 1994. Meanwhile, his son Nandamuri Harikrishna was elected in the by-election from the same seat in 1996 following NTR’s death.
With 6 months to go for election in Andhra Pradesh, this could be a huge jolt to the TDP, say political observers. There are rumours that even Jana Sena Chief Pawan Kalyan has been mulling about giving a tough fight to the TDP from this constituency, despite it not being finalised.
In the days ahead, we will be witnessing several more cross-party defections, say political observers, who add that this is quite a normal scenario before elections.
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