Days after Kapu veteran and former minister Mudragada Padmanabham wrote a strongly worded letter to Jana Sena Party president and actor Pawan Kalyan, indicating his plans to withdraw support to the latter, the YSR Congress party led by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has revived its attempts to bring him into the party.
On Wednesday, a delegation of YSRCP led by Jakkampudi Ganesh, brother of Rajanagaram MLA Jakkampudi Raja, went to Kirlampudi to hold talks with Mudragada and invite him into the party.
The YSRCP leaders also arranged a telephonic talk between Mudragada and party regional coordinator and MP Peddireddy Mithun Reddy, who explained the advantages of Mudragada joining the YSRCP.
However, the Kapu leader did not accept the invitation instantly.
According to sources, Mudragada sought to know why he should accept the invitation extended by the YSRCP leaders, instead of Jagan Mohan Reddy.
“Why can’t Jagan talk to me directly, instead of sending delegations like this? Let me get the assurance from him directly. Then, I shall decide,” Mudragada reportedly told the YSRCP delegation and Mithun Reddy.
Mithun Reddy tried to convince him that they were talking to him on the directions of Jagan only and any assurance they were giving was only after consulting Jagan.
“So, our word is Jagan’s word,” Mithun Reddy said.
The YSRCP leaders have told him that Jagan is willing to offer Pithapuram or any other seat in East Godavari district to Mudragada or his family members.
If Mudragada wants his son to be given the party ticket, he would be considered for Rajya Sabha nomination two years later.
Mudragada said he would take a decision only after meeting Jagan and getting proper assurance on his political plans.
The talks are still going on, sources said, adding that if Mudragada agrees, he might be inducted into the party by March 12, before the announcement of election schedule.
