YSRCP suspends 4 MLAs for cross-voting after TDP’s surprise win in MLC polls, claims ‘money, tickets offered’

MLAs whom party doubted were given a ‘code’ (pattern) on how or whom to vote for in the polls and depending on the change in this code, the cross-voters were identified, it is learnt.

File photo of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy| Photo: ANI

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP leader Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy Friday suspended four party legislators for violating the whip and cross-voting for a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate in the legislative council polls.

The TDP Thursday won a seat in the MLA-quota MLC polls despite lacking the strength to get a majority. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu Friday termed the win as “god’s script”.

The four suspended YSRCP MLAs are Vundavalli Sridevi from Tadikonda constituency, Mekapati Chandra Sekhar Reddy representing Udayagiri seat, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy from Venkatagiri constituency and Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy representing Nellore Rural.

Advisor to the state government Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy Friday announced that the party, after internal investigation, found that the four MLAs had violated the party whip and crossed the line to support the TDP. 

Three of the four suspended MLAs have been publicly speaking against the party. Sridevi, however, on Thursday said she did not cross vote. 

“In our internal surveys, we do get to know which MLA might not win the next election. So, our CM is very open about it and constantly in touch with such MLAs and assures them about accommodating them somewhere else in case they do not get the tickets. While other such MLAs are still loyal to us, it appears that four of them have crossed the line and chose to cross vote,” said Ramakrishna Reddy.

“We have information that the MLAs were offered Rs 15 to 20 crore (by TDP) and was also perhaps promised a ticket from their constituency in the next MLA election by (Chandrababu) Naidu…money was also exchanged,” he said, adding that the decision to suspend was taken after a thorough investigation by the party and after Jagan Mohan Reddy was convinced.

ThePrint reached TDP representatives for a comment. A response is awaited.

How cross-voters were ‘identified’

TDP’s lone candidate Panchumarthi Anuradha was elected as the member of the legislative council after securing 23 votes, despite the party having only 19 functional MLAs. Four of its 23 MLAs, who won in the 2019 elections, shifted loyalties to YSRCP without leaving their original party to avoid the anti-defection law.

Six leaders of Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) were also elected to the council Thursday. 

The YSRCP split the MLAs in groups of 22 to vote for each of their candidates in seven MLC polls. The MLAs, especially those on whom the party had a doubt, were given a certain ‘code’ (pattern) on how or whom to vote for in the polls. The MLAs had to choose someone on first preference and then second. Depending on the change in the code, the cross voters were identified, party sources told ThePrint.

Ramakrishna Reddy Thursday alleged that Naidu took to horse-trading and poaching of their MLAs and said “the former chief minister has had a history of it”.  

The suspended MLAs, from the party, will however continue with their legislature positions.