At least four MLAs belonging to YSR Congress party who had defected to the Telugu Desam Party in the last two years are now said to be repenting for shifting their loyalties and are willing to come back into the Jaganmohan Reddy camp.
According to reliable sources, these four MLAs including those from north coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema are learnt to have sent feelers to Jagan stating that they would like to return to the YSRC, as they are feeling uncomfortable in the TDP.
“We had joined the ruling party as we were in dire financial crisis. We were lured by money and the promise of positions in the party. However, there is none to care us in the TDP and we are not able to meet even Lokesh, leave alone Naidu, to get our works done. In the constituency, too, we have become loners, as there is already a rival camp in the TDP,” they reportedly told the mediators who are trying to bring them back into the YSRC.
They are of the view that they at least commanded some regard in the constituency and self-respect in the party.
“Now, we have neither money nor self-respect. So, we want to go back,” they say.
However, Jagan is said to be firm in not admitting the defectors back into his party. He has already groomed the alternative leadership in their respective constituencies and hence, the return of the defected MLAs would only cause rifts in the party.
“Moreover, it would bring bad name to him and the party,” Jagan is learnt to have told mediators.
