Tirupati:The YSRC faced a significant blow in Nellore as 15 of its corporators defected to the Telugu Desam. This mass exodus has dramatically shifted the balance of power in the Nellore Municipal Corporation, potentially giving way for the TD to gain a majority.
The defectors were welcomed into the TD fold by minister Nara Lokesh at his residence in Undavalli on Wednesday. The event, orchestrated under the guidance of Nellore City MLA and minister Dr. P. Narayana, saw not only the corporators but also around 50 other YSRC leaders embracing the TD's yellow scarves.
The political landscape in Nellore district has been undergoing a significant transformation, with the ruling TD making strategic moves to consolidate its power in local bodies.
In the Nellore Municipal Corporation, which comprises 54 divisions spread across the city and rural Assembly constituencies, a major power shift seems imminent.
Of the 26 divisions under the rural constituency, about 10 YSRC corporators are already aligning with local MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy.
Among the remaining 16 corporators, 10 have expressed willingness to join the TD, while discussions are ongoing with others, including mayor P. Sravanthi.
The scenario in the city constituency is equally dramatic, with 15 out of 28 corporators joining the TD on Wednesday.Majority of the remaining YSRC corporators are reportedly ready to follow the local MLA and municipal administration minister Narayana.
Vemireddy Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, general manager of Narayana Educational Institutions, is said to be in talks with several corporators.
This political reshuffling is not limited to the Nellore Municipal Corporation. Sources indicate that similar trends are emerging in other local bodies of the district.
In Atmakur municipality, where the YSRC currently holds 20 out of 23 divisions, two councillors have already shifted to the TD.
The majority of the remaining YSRC councillors are reportedly awaiting a nod from endowments minister and local MLA Anam Ramanarayana Reddy to make their move.
However, this influx of YSRC members into the TD has not been without internal friction.
Senior TD leaders, who have stood by the party through challenging times, are expressing concerns about accepting these defectors.
Many feel sidelined, questioning their roles in the party's future as former opponents take centre stage.
