Andhra Pradesh : Jolt to TDP as Thota Trimurthulu quits

Visakhapatnam: In yet another major setback to Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which received severe drubbing in the recent assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, a senior leader in TDP, Kapu leader and former MLA from Ramachandrapuram constituency in East Godavari district, Thota Trimurthulu, resigned from the party on Friday

Thota Trimurthulu on Friday announced that he quit TDP in a meeting with his followers at his hometown Venkataya Palem in East Godavari district. Sources said that he is likely to join the YSR Congress Party on September 18. Thota Thrimurtulu is a four-time MLA from Ramachandrapuram constituency (two times with TDP ticket, one time with Congress Party and one time as Independent. He has gained massive support from the Kapu community in the East Godavari region.

The leader is also known for his controversies. In 1996, Thota Trimurthulu was accused in a case where he is responsible for tonsure of two Dalits in Venkatayapalem. The case is still pending in the court, and the verdict may come in the coming days. As Thota has a strong grip in the district, the YSR Congress Party leaders grabbed Thota to win in the coming local body elections.

However, there were rumours that former minister and Visakha (North) MLA, Ganta Srinivasa Rao of TDP is likely to join in YSR Congress Party. Sources also said that Ganta was backed by the YSRC leader and Member of Rajya Sabha V Vijayasaid Reddy. However, Ganta refused to comment on the rumours. E