Former Congress minister joins TDP

In a major blow to the Congress party in Andhra Pradesh, former minister and prominent SC leader from Guntur district, Dokka Manikya Varaprasada Rao quit the party to join the TDP.

Dokka joined the TDP in the presence of AP CM Chandrababu Naidu at the latter's residence in Vijayawada today. Chandrababu welcomed Dokka into the party by offering him the party's kanduva (scarf).

Dokka, who is a close aide of TDP MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao had hinted at switching over to the YSRCP but he was persuaded by Rayapati to join the TDP. There were reports that Chandrababu's son Nara Lokesh had invited Dokka into the party over the phone.