Hyderabad: While YSRC MLAs are camping in Kerala and Goa, ahead of the June 11 Rajya Sabha polls in AP, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s discussions with defected YSRC MLAs in Vijayawada on fielding a fourth candidate has heated up the political scene.It is not confirmed whether or not the TD has decided to field a fourth candidate.
The YSRC has stepped up its criticism and said that TD had indulged in horse-trading to “buy” MLAs for the fourth candidate though it doesn’t have the numbers.
Though the YSRC is expressing confidence over party general secretary Vijay Sai Reddy winning the RS seat, the party is now tense over the moves in the TD camp. On Monday, Mr Vijay Sai Reddy and senior leader Ummareddy Venkates-warlu met Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwaralal and sought some clarifications.
“We had some doubts over forms and had sought clarification. We have fielded Mr Vijay Sai Reddy as we have enough strength. On the other hand the TD has no numbers for the fourth candidate that they are trying to field,” he said.
YSRC MLA A. Ramakris-hna Reddy alleged that the TD had conspired to spend Rs 40 crore to buy MLAs for the fourth seat. “They even bought a mandal parishad leader for Rs 3 crore. We have evidence and we will release it at an appropriate time," he said.
A TD source said about 20 YSRC MLAs in two batches had gone to Kerala and Goa. “Those who had announced that they would stand by the party and its leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy are still in town. Only those who were vulnerable were taken to the camps,” he said.
The TD move on the fourth candidate is said to be to keep the Opposition YSRC on tenterhooks. About 17 MLAs who had defected from the YSRC met Mr Naidu in Vijayawada and discussed strategy. Sources said he asked them whether they would get more MLAs into the party.
