Janipalli Srinivas Rao, who earned notoriety as Kodi Kathi Srinu for attacking YSR Congress party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on October 25, 2018, has entered politics.
Srinu, who was released from jail on February 9 following a prolonged legal battle after being in jail for more than five years, has been making public appearances regularly as if he is a big hero and getting into the media limelight.
Since he is a Dalit, Kodi Kathi Srinu has been getting a lot of support from the Dalit organisations, who have been inviting him to every meeting. This has apparently prompted him to take the decision that he should enter politics.
On Monday night, Srinu joined the 'Jai Bheem Bharat' party headed by lawyer and activist Jada Sravan Kumar at the party’s state office in Vijayawada. Sravan Kumar welcomed him by draping a scarf around him.
Srinu told the reporters that he has decided to enter politics to serve the cause of Dalits and the poor people.
He said he had thought of contesting the elections as an independent but Sravan had invited him into the party. He indicated that he might contest the elections from Amalapuram.
He stated that his intention to enter politics was solely to work for the welfare of the poor. He clarified that his decision was not influenced by caste or religious considerations.
He expressed his desire to enter the legislative assembly to address the issues faced by the poor.
Interestingly, another controversial character Dastagiri, who was one of the four killers of Jagan’s uncle and former minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy in March 2019, has also joined Jai Bheem Bharat Party.
Dastagiri announced that he would contest the assembly elections from Pulivendula, against chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
