Andhra Pradesh
Paderu legislator Giddi Eswari defected from Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party to join Telugu Desam Party on Monday. She joined TDP in the presence of chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who welcomed her into the party by offering her the party stole in Amaravathi.
Giddi Eswari had been upset with the party supremo YS Jaganmohan Reddy for proposing the name of Kambha Ravibabu for Paderu MLA seat in 2019 and roping in former Congress MLA P Balaraju.
Immediately after her joining TDP, rumours started that she took Rs 25 crores for the defection and surprisingly the rumours were started by TDP cadre. The rumour was condemned by Eswari.
Defection and bargaining money came to the fore with this rumour. Earlier Chodavaram MLA Vantala Rajeswari claimed that TDP offered her Rs 20 crores for defection but she only desired for development and so joined TDP.
Jyotula Nehru openly said that he was not offered money but a minister post. Prakasam district MLA Gottipati Ravi Kumar joined TDP to avoid Rs 200 crores taxes, according to MLC Karanam Balaram.
Jaleel Khan said that Chandrababu offered him Rs 30 crores, but he didn’t take the money. Anantapur district Kadiri MLA Attar Chand Basha defected YSRCP for Rs 10 crores according to TDP leaders.