Mudragada to join YSRCP on March 14

Veteran Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham announced on Sunday his decision to join the YSR Congress party (YSRCP) and actively participate in its campaign for the forthcoming assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the State.
Padmanabham, accompanied by his younger son Giri Babu, disclosed his decision to join the YSRCP during a press briefing. He stated that he would formally join the party in the presence of YSRCP president and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office in Tadepalli on March 14.
Expressing his commitment to the YSRCP, Padmanabham said that his decision to join the party was unconditional, devoid of any expectations for positions or party tickets for electoral contests.
“If, by God’s grace, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure continues in the upcoming elections, I will humbly accept any role entrusted to me by him,” he declared, underscoring his readiness to actively campaign for the YSRCP and solicit support from the Kapu community for Jagan’s leadership. Additionally, Padmanabham clarified that while he remains dedicated to active political engagement, he will not be participating as a candidate in the upcoming elections.
Previously, it was speculated that Padmanabham would contest the Assembly elections from Pithapuram constituency, challenging Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan, who was initially considered for the seat. However, the YSRCP had already designated Vanga Geetha as its candidate for Pithapuram, signalling a lack of inclination to alter its selection. Consequently, Padmanabham reportedly communicated to YSRCP leaders his decision to abstain from electoral contests altogether.
Sources indicate that Padmanabham sought assurance from Jagan for a Rajya Sabha ticket in the event of the YSRCP’s victory, a request that is believed to have been acknowledged by the Chief Minister.
The ramifications of Padmanabham’s alliance with the YSRCP on the Kapu vote share in East and West Godavari districts have generated significant interest. With the recent entry of another Kapu leader, former MP Chegondi Harirama Jogaiah’s son Suryaprakash, into the YSRCP fold, analysts anticipate a potential advantage for the party in the Godavari districts.