YSRC faces crisis in Nellore amid power struggle between two leaders

 TIRUPATI: Reports of a bitter power struggle between two prominent leaders in the YSRC here have reached Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's camp office in Tadepalli.

Differences between former minister Anil Kumar Yadav and corporator Roopkumar Yadav, Anil's uncle, have escalated in recent days. This is causing embarrassment to the ruling party leadership and local party activists.

The two leaders are engaged in a war of words for quite some time.

With the internal feud between these key leaders threatening the YSRC's prospects in Nellore, the Chief Minister summoned Anil and Roop to his Tadepalli camp office on Monday. This, however, was not the first time the CM attempted reconciliation between the two.

Jagan Mohan Reddy had previously advised both leaders to set aside their differences and work together for betterment of the party. However, they continued with the fight, further tarnishing the party's image in the district.

The YSRC in the district is already grappling with dissent. Three MLAs—Kotamreddy Sridhar, Anam Ramanarayana, and Mekapati Chandrasekhar—have openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the party. Following this, they were suspended and later expelled from the party, after the recent MLC elections.

To address the situation, the chief minister held separate meetings with Anil and Roop at his camp office. The CM discussed matters with both leaders. He is learnt to have cautioned the feuding relatives to limit their field of operations to their respective areas and avoid attempting to step on to the toes of the other.

Jagan Mohan Reddy reportedly warned both leaders of severe consequences if they persisted in their open criticism. “Jagan Mohan Reddy issued a final warning that they would be suspended from the party if they continued with the fight.

Political analysts feel that resolving the internal dispute and restoring unity are crucial for the YSRC's poll prospects in the region.