A political magnet—that is how the ruling parties have turned into for opposite camp leaders in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in the last few years. In 2014-19, when the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was in power in AP, 23 MLAs and three MPs from the main opposition party, the YSRCP, shifted loyalties to the Chandrababu Naidu's party. Some of them were even made ministers and given charges of important portfolios. Now, after the YSRCP won the state elections with an overwhelming majority, the balance seems to have tilted. It is the TDP's turn to get leaner. However, the desertions are of a different kind.
Before 2019 elections, the current chief minister and the then opposition leader, Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy had taken the issue to the public. He spoke about the “unethical ways” by which Naidu was poaching his MLAs. He made public his policy that any public representative who wants to join his party have to resign from their posts and contest on his party symbol. After he won the elections, Jagan reiterated his stand.
His party MLAs have time and again made statements that there were many in the TDP who are ready to switch sides but they do not want to repeat what Naidu did.
The first disgruntled TDP MLA to cross the boundary was Vallabhaneni Vamsi—a well-known leader from Vijayawada-Amaravati belt hailing from the same community as Chandrababu Naidu. His departure was not smooth as he accused Naidu and his son of mismanaging the party and ill-treating him. He even met Jagan. After the TDP suspended him, the MLA sought a separate seat with the speaker, which was granted. Thus, though Vamsi has not joined the YSRCP officially, he is openly seen supporting the ruling party. Close on the heels is another TDP MLA, Maddal Giri, who also seems to be keen on leaving the TDP. Like Vamsi, he has also criticised Naidu and met Jagan. He has also resigned from the party but not his post. The TDP's strength is now down to 21 as the two MLAs add strength to the YSRCP in the house.
Meanwhile, a number of other TDP leaders are also joining the YSRCP. Devineni Avinash, a young leader from Vijaywada who lost on TDP ticket in the last elections, joined the ruling party. Former chairman of SC corporation, Jupudi Prabhakar Rao, also left the opposition party and joined the YSRCP. A few other former TDP MLAs have also joined the party.
The BJP also seems to be cashing in on the discontentment in the TDP. After four Raya Sabha MPs, many from the Naidu's party are in touch with the BJP high command to join the saffron party.
