Khammam: It seems that the strategy being followed by Congress leaders in the district against the defected MLAs is paying some dividends.
The Congress’ second and third rung leaders and cadre were activated with the Prajaswamya Parirakshaa Yatra of Congress Legislature Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and began different attacks on MLAs who had defected to the ruling party.
The cadre is forcing the MLAs to choose two options before them on the basis of incidents that have taken place for the last three days.
Firstly, Yellandu MLA Haripriya Naik faced a bitter experience in Govindrala under Kamepalli mandal at the hands of Congress workers, who blocked her entry into the village during the election campaign of the local body. It was a shock to Ms Haripriya and she turned around and went back.
Secondly, Mr Rega Kantha Rao, MLA of Pinapaka Assembly constituency, experienced the same situation. The people of Reddypalem under Burgumpahad mandal questioned his visit to the village during the local bodies elections. The locals fired a volley of queries at him pertaining to his joining TRS after leaving the Congress on whose symbol he had got elected. They said that he had no right to ask them for votes.
Thirdly, a complaint was lodged by Congress leaders in Sujathanagar police station against Kothagudem MLA Vanama Venkates-wara Rao. This has proved embarrassing to Mr Rao.
The plan of the Congress is that these MLAs should come back to the party fold but only after facing the situation created by the party cadre. If not, these MLAs should resign and seek fresh elections. The party succeeded in blocking the entry of these MLAs in the villages.
There is opposition against the defections among the people and Congress workers came to the fore after the boost given by Mr Mallu Bhatti through his yatra.
Speaking on the matter, Mr Mallu Bhatti said, “We will not leave the issue and will fight against the defected MLAs until they take back their decision or resign the MLA post.”
