Former MLA Muttamsetti quits YSRCP, questions leadership’s ‘haste’ in targeting NDA government

Finding fault with the leadership for taking to the agitation path as ‘Jamili’ elections may be conducted, the former Minister says it is easy to take decisions sitting at Tadepalli, but it is the cadres who have to face the consequences

In a jolt to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), senior leader and former Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, popularly known as Avanthi Srinivas, resigned from the party on December 12, 2024 (Thursday).

Mr. Srinivas had distanced himself from the party after losing the elections in June this year.

Mr. Srinivas had served as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Youth Advancement in the Jagan Mohan Reddy Cabinet. He was dropped from the Cabinet in the reshuffle effected in April 2022.

In a letter addressed to party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the former MLA cited personal reasons for his resignation as Bheemili Assembly constituency incharge and also to the primary membership of the party.

He sent his resignation letter to the party’s North Andhra regional coordinator and Rajya Sabha member V. Vijaya Sai Reddy and party district president Gudivada Amarnath.

Addressing the media in Visakhapatnam, Mr. Srinivas criticised the leadership for targeting the NDA government in the State without giving it adequate time to settle down.

“We should give at least one year time for the new government. It is just five months since it has taken over the administration. The YSRCP leadership wants the leaders and cadres to stage protests as ‘Jamili’ elections (one nation, one election) may be conducted, ignoring the problems faced by them in the last five years,” Mr. Srinivas said.

The leadership did not consult the incharges of the 175 Assembly constituencies while taking such a decision. “Decisions are taken sitting there (at Tadepalli). It is similar to the British rule, where decisions were taken in London,” Mr. Srinivas observed.

“It is easy to take decisions sitting at Tadepalli, but the cadres have to face the consequences. We are seeing what is happening to the social media activists. Giving an assurance on securing bail to those arrested is not enough. They too have families,”’ he said.

Questioning why the leadership was in a hurry to take to the streets when there was five years time, Mr. Srinivas said, “The State government is facing financial constraints. People will decide whether the government has implemented the Super Six promises or not,” he said.

“Only a stable government can develop a capital city and attract investments. One should not always think about political gains.”Muttamsetti Srinivasa RaoFormer MLA

Mr. Srinivas further said that development could be achieved only with a stable government. “Hyderabad developed due to a stable government for 10 years. Only a stable government can develop a capital city and attract investments. One should not always think about political gains,” he said.

Future plans

On his future course of action, Mr. Srinivas said, “I will take a decision on my political future after sometime. At present, I want to spend time with my family and take care of my educational institutions.”

Mr. Srinivas was a two-time MLA from the Bheemili Assembly constituency — once on the Praja Rajyam Party ticket in 2009 and YSRCP ticket in 2019. He was elected as Member of Parliament from the Anakapalli Lok Sabha segment on TDP ticket in 2014. After his victory in the 2019 elections, he was inducted into the State Cabinet.

A Kapu leader, Mr. Srinivas Srinivas is likely to join the Jana Sena Party, say sources.

Published - December 12, 2024 06:38 pm IST