The YSRCP announced the names of its MLC candidates the other day. While there wasn't much dispute over other names, there was one name which raised quite a few eyebrows. Senior TDP leader Murugudu Hanumantha Rao, a two-time MLA, was given a YSRCP ticket from the local body constituency.
Hanumantha Rao, who comes from the weavers community, has begun his political career with the Congress. He was considered close to late YSR. He became a minister in the YSR cabinet. Later, he joined the TDP when Chandrababu Naidu was the chief minister. He lost the elections in 2019. Since then he has been keeping a distance from TDP organisational activities. This September he sent feelers that he would join the YSRCP.
But the interesting fact is that he is yet to formally join the YSRCP. Giving party tickets to someone who has not yet joined the Congress party is raising hackles in the party. The leaders are seen talking in hushed tones about how he is still not a member of the party, but was given the party ticket.
It is clear that YS Jagan has taken caste into consideration while rewarding Murugudu Hanumantha Rao. Murugudu has carved a niche for himself in Mangalagiri through hard work. He has also harnessed the weavers community and turned it into a vote bank in Mangalagiri.
Hanumantha Rao, who comes from the weavers community, has begun his political career with the Congress. He was considered close to late YSR. He became a minister in the YSR cabinet. Later, he joined the TDP when Chandrababu Naidu was the chief minister. He lost the elections in 2019. Since then he has been keeping a distance from TDP organisational activities. This September he sent feelers that he would join the YSRCP.
But the interesting fact is that he is yet to formally join the YSRCP. Giving party tickets to someone who has not yet joined the Congress party is raising hackles in the party. The leaders are seen talking in hushed tones about how he is still not a member of the party, but was given the party ticket.
It is clear that YS Jagan has taken caste into consideration while rewarding Murugudu Hanumantha Rao. Murugudu has carved a niche for himself in Mangalagiri through hard work. He has also harnessed the weavers community and turned it into a vote bank in Mangalagiri.