Dharmana keen on joining YSRC

Former Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, who represents Srikakulam in the Assembly, is likely to quit the Congress and join the YSR Congress, according to highly placed sources in the ruling party.

Mr. Prasada Rao, who has been conducting a series of meetings with Srikakulam and Narasannapeta leaders, sent a strong feeler that he was not able adjust with the Congress after it had taken a decision in favour of Telangana. His loyalists have also stepped pressure on him to join YSRC since the Congress lost the people’s confidence with its decision on bifurcation.

Cut-up with high command?

He is angry with the high command which forced him to resign after he was named accused in CBI charge sheet. After the elevation of Srikakulam MP Killi Kruparani as Union Minister of State for Communication and Technology, Mr. Prasada Rao lost his importance in the party. Mr .Prasada Rao’s elder brother -- Krishnadas -- is already in the YSRC and has been made convenor of the party in the district. Political analysts say it would be easy for Mr. Prasada Rao to join the YSR Congress with the support of his brother. But sources in the YSRC told The Hindu that the leadership was not keen on admitting Mr. Prasada Rao as he had levelled allegations against Jaganmohan Reddy and railed at him in the Assembly during the no-confidence motion.

They alleged that Mr. Prasada Rao criticised even Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to please AICC president Sonia Gandhi though it did not help him come out from CBI cases. “Mr. Prasada Rao and his son Rammanohar Naidu faced many allegations in various issues, including the Kannedhara lease row. Understandably, Mr. Jagan does not want to take the two into the party,” a senior YSRC leader said.

Srikakulam DCC president Narthu Narendra Yadav told The Hindu that he was not aware of Mr. Prasada Rao’s plans while admitting that the former Minister was not happy with the high command’s decision to bifurcate the State.

From Hindu