It seems that an old friend of the YSRCP and the present Addanki TDP MLA Gottipati Ravi Kumar is all set to join team YS Jagan. Gottipati Ravi, who earlier shined in the YSRCP, joined the TDP in 2018 due to pressure by the leaders from the latter party. While Gottipati Ravi benefits from his granite business, this is exactly the reason why he is not consistent in any party. It is known that the YSRCP government recently had seized 13 granite mines belonging to the Addanki MLA.
Large-scale penalties were also imposed. With no other option left, Gottipati Ravi Kumar approached the High Court. With the court giving stay he thought he could continue his business. But at the field level, the transport department officials created too many hurdles in the transportation of granite stone. With Gottipati Ravi Kumar understanding the issue, he decided that joining the YCP would solve his issues.
Joining YSRCP a mere formality
It is learnt that the TDP MLA G Ravi Kumar held several rounds of talks with Prakasam district minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy and that they share a good friendship. It is learnt that Balineni had cleared the lines for Ravi Kumar and that party chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy too is keen to induct Ravi Kumar.
Difficult for businessmen in politics
There is a perception among the people that there were more political attacks in Andhra Pradesh compared to any other states in the country. The ruling party leaders are trying tirelessly to damage the financial roots of the opposition party leaders. They are identifying the businesses of opposition parties and implementing their agenda. Unable to withstand the pressure of the ruling party leaders many TDP leaders have joined the YSRCP. Some of those leaders have also shut their businesses.
Will Telugu Desam lose its opposition status?
Already four MLAs have deserted the TDP, with the numbers falling from 23 to 19. If Gottipati Ravikumar too joins the YCP, the number of TDP members in the assembly will be down to 18. If another member leaves TDP now, Chandrababu Naidu is in danger of losing his cabinet-level status as Leader of the Opposition. However, it seems that the YSRCP leaders are trying their best to make TDP lose their opposition status in the Assembly, prior to the next session. There is also a small twist here. Though six of the Telugu Desam MLAs left the party, as per the official records, they are continuing on behalf of Telugu Desam. There is an argument that there is no threat to the status of Chandrababu Naidu as Leader of the Opposition as long as the MLAs technically continue as TDP members.
