Equations changing at a fast clip in State

• TDP seeing influx of ticket hopefuls in Seemandhra
• However, in Telangana it is losing its MLAs to TRS
• TDP MLAs Satyavati Rathod, Nagesh to join TRS today
• More desertions likely; TRS is casting its net wide
• CPI (M) may help tilt balance in favour of YSRCP in T

Hyderabad: With just couple of days left for the poll notification, political equations are changing at a very fast pace. While TDP is facing a tough time in Telangana, where senior party leaders are quitting one after the other and joining TRS, in Seemandhra Congress is losing its steam. Two TDP MLAs Satyavati Rathod and Nagesh may join TRS in KCR’s presence on Monday.

Rathod has already resigned from the party. Nagesh is also set to follow suit soon. More are likely to desert the TDP soon. Satyavati Rathode is at present representing Dornakal Assembly constituency in Warangal district.

It may be mentioned here that TDP MLAs P Mahendar Reddy from Tandur and KS Ratnam ( Chevella) have recently joined the TRS. TRS leaders are also in touch with Peddapally MLA CH Vijaya Ramana Rao, Rajendranagar MLA T Prakash Goud and Choppadani MLA Suddala Devaiah. It is said they have been offered plum posts in party and MLA seats. Political analysts say that this is one of the strategies of the TRS to get readymade candidates as the party does not have candidates for many constituencies on its own.

In Seemandhra region, the exodus from Congress to TDP has begun in a large way. In Machilipatnam in Krishna district, the Congress senior leader Badiga Ramakrishna who lost to TDP MP Konakalla Naryana Rao by over 12,000 votes has decided to quit Congress and join TDP. Two other leaders from this party, Vedavyas and Mandali Buddha Prasad, are also contemplating to join TDP.

Former Minister K Parthasarathi has come to the conclusion that he cannot win on Congress ticket following the bifurcation of the State. He is also of the opinion that Kiran would not float a party, and even if he does, it would not help him in any way. Hence, he is busy going round his constituency and is seeking the advice of his cadre. Parthasarthi at one point of time contemplated to join YSRCP but since he could not get clearance from Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, he is now trying luck to see if TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu will admit him. However, there is strong opposition from the TDP cadre since the Minister is involved in economic offences case and is out on bail.

In West Krishna district, Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal has taken political sanyas. Another Congress leader Yelamanchali Ravi tried his luck with YSRCP and TDP, but failed to gain entry in either of them. Another important leader Devineni Nehru is also said to be worried about his political future. He too wants to leave Congress, but YSRCP has not shown any interest in him, and moreover Vangaveeti Radha who is his arch-rival is the candidate from Vijayawada East. He cannot join TDP since he has been criticising Naidu in sharpest possible language and hence he does not stand a chance in the party. The YSRCP which has lost its ground in Telangana region is likely to have poll tie-up with CPM and put up candidates from Khammam and other areas where the CPM has strong cadre. Though CPM may not be in a position to win the seats on its own, it can certainly help tilt the balance in favour of YSRCP. The possibility of Sharmila contesting from Khammam as YSRCP candidate is also not ruled out.