TDP confident of victory in Andhra even as senior leaders join YSR Congress

Number of senior TDP leaders have joined YSR Congress in last few days.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Former vice-president of the TDP quit party recently
• Sitiing MP from Kurnool joined YSR Congress
• However, TDP leaders maintain that the party will win the elections

As Andhra Pradesh prepares for simultaneous assembly and parliamentary elections, the fight is on between Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress.

Though TDP is confident of retaining power some of its prominent leaders have joined YSR Congress.

TDP's former vice-president and MLC Magunta Srinivas quit the party even before the candidate list was announced. Another senior leader quit the party and joined YSR Congress.

Sitting MP from Kurnool Ranuka Butta joined YSR Congress as well.

"This is indicative of the fact that the momentum is with YSRCP, and the party is set to sweep the coming elections," YSR Congress said.

However, Telugu Desam Party leaders are expressing confidence that the party will retain power in the state and will win upcoming elections with more number of seats.

The sentiment was echoed by close confidants of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. They said that defections are actually good for the party as those who do not belong there are finally out.

SOURCE