3 MLAs, MLC from Kurnool back Jagan

KURNOOL: As Katasani Rami Reddy (PRP MLA from Banaganapalle) ditched the YSR Congress and rejoined the Congress along with other MLAs, his brother Katasani Ram Bhupal Reddy (Panyam Congress MLA) on Sunday extended his support to the YSR Congress.Ram Bhupal Reddy held a meeting with his followers here on Sunday and announced that he would participate in the Odarpu yatra of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, which will commence at Chagalamarri in the Allagadda segment on Monday. Ram Bhupal Reddy had once supported Jagan but later distanced himself from the Jagan camp and moved closely with ruling party leaders hoping that he would be inducted into the Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet. Dashing his hopes, Kiran chose TG Venkatesh and E Pratap Reddy from the district to be in his ministry.Meanwhile, Bhupal Reddy’s brother Rami Reddy, a PRP MLA, who moved closely with YS Jagan for some time, has decided to join the Congress along with other PRP MLAs after the PRP-Congress merger.As his brother will get importance in the Congress, Bhupal Redy again made up his mind to back Jagan again. “As of now, I am a Congress MLA. But I will participate in Jagan’s Odarpu yatra in the district,” Bhupal Reddy told reporters.Bhupal Reddy, a five-time MLA, said YS Rajasekhara Reddy had given him the Congress ticket 20 years ago to contest the Assembly election in preference to another Congress leader Vanaja. “Because of Rajasekhara Reddy I served people as an MLA for five successive terms. It is my duty to participate in the Odarpu Yatra as Jagan was consoling those who died of shock after the demise of Rajasekhara Reddy,” Bhupal Reddy explained.“I have been in consultation with my followers for six months. Today, 95 per cent of my followers wanted me to participate in the 13-day Odarpu Yatra in the district,” he said. Asked if he would join the YSR Congress, Bhupal Reddy said that he was a Congress MLA and hinted that he would extend his support to YSR Congress.Meanwhile, Yemmiganur MLA Chenna Kesava Reddy (Cong) and Mantralyam MLA Bala Nagi Reddy (TDP), and Congress MLC SV Mohan Reddy extended their support to Odarpu Yatra.