I Acted Impulsively and Will Correct My Mistake, Says Jakkampudi Raja

Former YSRCP MLA from Rajanagaram in East Godavari district, Jakkampudi Raja, issued a strong warning to coalition leaders amid a controversy over an unanimous MPTC candidate selection. Allegations emerged that Raja assaulted YSRCP MPTC candidate Anaparthi Manikantha in Buchempeta village of Korukonda mandal after the candidate agreed to an unanimous election. Cases have been registered against Raja and several others in connection with the incident. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Raja said he had acted impulsively because he was angry that Manikantha had allegedly acted against the interests of the YSRCP and its cadre without informing him. He said he would correct his mistake.

Raja questioned why cases had not been registered against those allegedly involved in auctioning the MPTC seat, arguing that elections in Buchempeta should have been conducted democratically. He said YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s word was paramount to his family and that he was prepared to follow his leader’s directions. Raja also claimed that Jagan had instructed party members six months earlier not to agree to unanimous elections anywhere. Questioning how the MPTC seat in his constituency could be handed over to the Telugu Desam Party through an auction, Raja’s remarks have brought the issue of unanimous local-body elections back into the political spotlight.