Key YCP leader, former minister and close relative of former chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy from Prakasam district Balineni Srinivas is said to be ready to leave the party and join Jana Sena. He has already conveyed his decision to his followers about this.
Balineni has been unhappy for some time after he was removed from the state cabinet and his close associates also not given due importance in the party. Moreover, he was unable to give priority to another close relative YV Subba Reddy in the affairs of Prakasam district.
Even before elections, he had planned to leave the party, but somehow Jaganmohan Reddy was able to prevent him. After his defeat in recent elections from Ongole, he seems to be restless after forgoing all his political authority.
During his meeting with Jaganmohan Reddy on Wednesday evening, it is learnt that his talks with him ended incompletely and he expressed his helplessness to continue in the party. Balineni Srinivas Reddy is Jagan’s cousin and brother-in-law of YV Subbareddy.
Balineni Srinivas Reddy has a good rapport with Jana Sena chief and Deputy Chief Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Even Jaganmohan Reddy and other YCP leaders were making personal accusations against Pawan Kalyan, he has never criticized him.
Moreover, Balineni has a political feud with Ongole TDP MLA Damachrala Janarthan and to check the present political domination of Janardhan in Ongole, he needs strong political support and believes that joining Jana Sena makes him empowered.
After Jagan came to power in 2019, Balineni got a place in the first cabinet. He worked as the Minister of Power and Forest for two and a half years. After that there were changes in the cabinet. Then he did not get a chance again.
He became furious that other leaders like Botsa Satyanarayana, Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and Buggana Rajendranath Reddy continued in the cabinet of Jagan. Balineni expressed his displeasure directly to Jagan on it.
He was also unhappy over the selection of candidates in recent elections, particularly in Prakasam district. He publicly expressed his displeasure with the ticket being given to those who were told by someone other than him.