Deputy CM KE spearheads Operation Akarshan

​Kurnool: The Telugu Desam Party has expedited the process of the second phase of ‘Operation Akarshan’ in Rayalaseema with an aim to attract some more YSRCP legislators into its fold under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishnamurthy, according to reliable sources. --

• More YSRCP legislators are likely to join the TDP during Naidu’s tour to Kurnool by April-end
• Already, five YSRCP MLAs have joined TDP which came as a rude shock to YSRCP president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy
• Local TDP leader claims more MLAs will desert YSRCP while YSRCP leader dismisses it as a false propaganda

The ruling party is stated to be making strong efforts for implementing the operation during the tour of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to Kurnool by April-end. This is the hot topic of discussion in the political circles. Five MLAs belonging to the main Opposition party joined the TDP during the first phase two months ago giving sleepless nights to Jagan.

Like the plan to weaken the Opposition being implemented by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in that State, Naidu, though senior to KCR, was relatively slow in taking up the game plan in Andhra Pradesh. Although, he wanted to start the ‘Operation Akarshan’ in Jagan’s native district Kadapa, he took time to achieve success because of the opposition from local party leadership.

He was forced to change the course and take it up in Kurnool where the TDP is strong. Although, five YSRCP MLAs were expected to join the TDP in the first phase, only three joined. Naidu succeeded in luring two YSRCP MLAs Bhuma Nagi Reddy and his daughter Akhila Priya.

Within hours of this development, Jammalamadugu MLA in Kadapa Adinarayana Reddy and his close relative, an MLC, too, joined the TDP. Two others refrained from leaving the YSRCP dud to the pressure exerted by leaders close to Jagan. They are said to be adopting a wait and watch policy.

Following this development, the second phase of Operation of Akarshan has reportedly been entrusted to Krishnamurthy. Many YSRCP legislators were stated to be unhappy after the PAC chief’s post was offered to Dhone MLA B Rajendranath Reddy following Nagi Reddy’s resignation. This made senior YSRCP leader Jyotula Nehru to leave the party to accept the TDP offer.

More leaders are likely to follow suit ‘encouraged’ by Krishnamurthy. This has been confirmed by Somishetty Venkateswarlu, TDP Disciplinary Central Committee member to The Hans India. Rumours are strong that some more YSRCP legislators, including an important leader, playing a crucial role in that party are getting ready to jump onto the TDP bandwagon.

He is said to have secured strong assurances from the ruling party leaders. This MLA is stated to have held a meeting with close relatives at his native village. The party activists are understood to have stated that they would stand by any decision taken by the legislator, who is likely to switch over his loyalties either on Tuesday or Wednesday probably during Naidu’s tour.

The YSRCP leaders have condemned the mind games being of the TDP, while denying the news of more desertions by the party legislators. Gowru Charita, Panyam YSRCP legislator, told The Hans India that the TDP leaders were causing confusion among the people by issuing statements that the YSRCP would be left with no MLA.