Rayapati Takes Sudden U-Turn! YCP Behind This?

As 2024 elections are fast-approaching, political leaders are shuffling the parties. Kanna Lakshminarayana has quit the BJP and joined the TDP. Kanna’s entry into TDP has strengthened the opposition party in Guntur district. Meanwhile, TDP senior leader Rayapati Sambasivarao had initially welcomed Kanna into the party. Few days ago, Rayapati stated that he had no qualms if Kanna joined the party. He told the media that TDP’s victory in the coming elections is a priority and he said he has no objections over Kanna joining the party.

However, Rayapati has changed his voice overnight. He made a complete volte-face as soon as Kanna joined. Rayapati stated that Kanna had criticised and abused TDP chief Chandrababu earlier. Rayapati further said that Kanna had dragged him to the court earlier and hence he cannot work with Kanna who had troubled him earlier. Rayapati said he can’t join his forces with Kanna and travel with him politically in the future. These remarks of Rayapati have created shock waves across TDP leaders in Guntur district given that Rayapati had made positive comments before. Many TDP leaders are suspecting that YSRCP could be behind Rayapati’s sudden u-turn.

In fact, during 2019 polls, Chandrababu was unsure of giving Narasaraopet MP ticket to Rayapati owing to his age-related issues. TDP leaders in the district had wanted this ticket to others instead of Rayapati. During that time, YSRCP wanted Rayapati to quit the TDP. But that’s when Chandrababu had finally given the Lok Sabha seat to Rayapati and he had lost the election. Since then, Rayapati has become silent in the party. As the 2024 polls are coming, Rayapati is raising his voice again. Now, Rayapati is unable to move.

Recently, Rayapati stated if Narasaraopet MP ticket is given to any Kadapa district leader, those will be defeated. According to reports, TDP chief Chandrababu is contemplating to field Putta Mahesh Yadav, son of Putta Sudhakar Yadav of Mydukur constituency into the fray for Narasaraopet Lok Sabha seat. In this backdrop, Rayapati stressed that his Lok Sabha seat shouldn’t be allocated to a leader from Kadapa district. He also sought MLA seat for his son Rayapati Ranga Rao.

Amidst this, Rayapati’s comments on Kanna Lakshminarayana’s entry is raising heat in the party in Guntur district. It is strongly buzzed that YSRCP leaders are behind this internal politics of TDP.