In yet another setback to the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh, former Prathipadu MLA and senior leader Varupula Subba Rao on Monday resigned from the party and joined the Jana Sena Party.
Varupula formally joined Jana Sena in the presence of party president and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who was on a visit to Kakinada. Pawan Kalyan welcomed the former MLA into the party by offering him the Jana Sena scarf.
Varupula told reporters that he was attracted by the policies being pursued by the coalition government under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
He said he decided to join Jana Sena because he believed the coalition government was following policies that were in the interests of the state.
Varupula also launched a sharp attack on YSRCP chief and former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, alleging that commissions were collected in the name of providing house sites during the previous YSRCP government.
He particularly alleged that land unsuitable for development was purchased at inflated prices in the Prathipadu Assembly constituency for distribution as house sites. According to him, several such plots remain unused even now.
The former MLA said he was dissatisfied with the YSRCP’s policies and alleged that he had not received the respect due to his seniority within the party. He also recalled that Jagan had previously made remarks about his age.
Varupula said he had not sought any post or special commitment from Jana Sena in return for joining the party. He added that he maintained cordial relations with leaders across political parties.
Varupula Subba Rao represented Prathipadu twice. He was first elected from the constituency on a Congress ticket in the 2004 Assembly elections and later won from the YSRCP in 2014.
Following the 2014 election, in which the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) formed the government, he left the YSRCP and joined the TDP on April 8, 2016. However, after being denied a TDP ticket in the 2019 elections, he returned to the YSRCP.
He contested the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections on a YSRCP ticket but was defeated.
His latest move to Jana Sena comes at a time when the coalition parties are preparing for the upcoming local body elections and stepping up efforts to strengthen their organisational structures.
