Dokka quits YSRCP, joins TDP

A prominent Dalit figure in YSRCP, Dokka Manikya Vara Prasad, resigned from the party on Friday.  Later. Manikya Vara Prasad joined the TDP.
His political journey includes successful stints as a representative in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the Tadikonda constituency, both in 2004 and 2009 during the era of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Following the state’s bifurcation, he shifted to the TDP. However, after the TDP’s disappointing performance in the 2019 elections, he shifted his allegiance to the YSRCP in 2020, where he secured a seat in the Legislative Council.
Accompanied by his supporters, Vara Prasad formally joined the TDP in a ceremony presided over by TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu at his residence in Hyderabad.
Naidu symbolically welcomed them into the TDP fold by draping scarves around their necks. Vara Prasad’s supporters expressed their disillusionment with the YSRCP, citing instances of perceived disrespect towards the senior leader. Despite attempts to communicate his perspective to Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Vara Prasad was allegedly denied an audience.
Faced with repeated instances of what he perceived as disrespect, Vara Prasad opted to sever ties with the YSRCP and align himself with the TDP. He has pledged to actively engage in the TDP’s election campaign alongside party leaders, with a shared commitment to securing victory for the TDP in upcoming elections. He has also stepped down from his position as the Guntur district YSRCP president.
Dokka Manikya Vara Prasad, a seasoned politician and respected Dalit leader, tendered his resignation letter to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday. With a history of service, Dokka Manikya Vara Prasad previously served as an MLC.
His political journey includes successful stints as a representative in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the Tadikonda constituency, both in 2004 and 2009 during the era of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Following the state’s bifurcation, he shifted to the TDP. However, after the TDP’s disappointing performance in the 2019 elections, he shifted his allegiance to the YSRCP in 2020, where he secured a seat in the Legislative Council.
Despite earlier assurances from the YSRCP leadership regarding a candidature from the Tadikonda constituency and his recent appointment as its in-charge, Dokka Manikya Vara Prasad was overlooked for the ticket. The YSRCP opted instead to field M Sucharita, prompting Dokka Manikya Vara Prasad to voice his dissatisfaction over the past few weeks.
The exit of Manikya Vara Prasad from the YSRCP represents a significant loss for the ruling party, given his stature as a respected Dalit leader, acknowledged a YSRCP spokesperson. However, Dokka Manikya Vara Prasad has yet to disclose his future political plans.