Speculations intensify of Nellore deputy mayor’s differences with Anil

NELLORE: Nellore deputy mayor P. Roopkumar Yadav laying a foundation stone for building YSRC party office – Jagananna Bhavan – at James Garden in Nellore on Sunday has led to speculations about possible differences within the ruling party.

Roopkumar is a very close relative of former minister and Nellore city legislator P. Anilkumar Yadav.

They remained inseparable even after Anil switched over to YSR Congress from Congress. However, the two have not been seeing eye to eye since past six months for reasons best known only to two of them. Both are tight-lipped about reasons for their separation even though they are conspicuously maintaining distance between one other.

Thus, the deputy mayor’s move to construct an office Jagananna Bhavan within one kilometre radius of Anilkumar’s office Rajanna Bhavan is believed to indicate the widening gap between the two ruling party’s leaders.

Surprisingly, several corporators owing allegiance to Anilkumar Yadav turned up for Roopkumar’s foundation-laying ceremony. NUDA chairman Mukkala Dwarakanath, a close follower of Anilkumar in the past, also attended the function.

Speaking to media after laying the foundation stone for his new office, the deputy mayor justified his move saying it will be convenient for people living in Nellore city segment. They will not have to come all the way to the corporation office to meet him.

On reports that he is planning to switch over to TD, Roopkumar said, “I declined to join TD even though the party gave me a big offer when it was in power in 2019. Why should I shift when our party is in power now,” he countered.

Asserting that YSRC will surely return to power in 2024, the deputy mayor maintained that he is not an aspirant for Nellore city seat represented by Anilkumar Yadav.