Machilipatnam MP Vallabhaneni Balasowri resigned from the ruling YSR Congress Party on Saturday. He sent the resignation letter to party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy through fax.

It is said that Balasowri was denied the ticket to contest again from Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency on the YSR Congress ticket. The party chief had communicated the same to Balasowri a week ago.

After quitting the YSR Congress, Balasowri met Jana Sena leaders in Machilipatnam. He held talks with the Jana Sena leaders and is likely to meet Pawan Kalyan in a week after Pongal.

There are several other leaders who are quitting the party one after the other. Penamaluru MLA K P Saradhi is all set to quit the party in a week. He is likely to join the opposition TDP in the next fortnight.

Another MLA from Rayadurgam Kapu Ramachandra Reddy had also quit the party. He joined the Congress and is likely to contest on the Congress ticket. His son too was assured of the party ticket from Kalyanadurgam.

Chinthalapudi MLA E V Eliza is also said to be planning to quit the YSR Congress. Eliza was denied the party ticket and the chief minister had appointed Vijaya Raju as incharge of the constituency. Another MLA T J R Sudhakar Babu from Santhanuthalapadu is also planning to quit the party and return to the Congress.

Several MLAs from the ruling party are looking at the Congress while a few of them are looking at the TDP and Jana Sena as an alternative. The leaders are getting in touch with Sharmila, who joined the Congress recently.

As she is busy with the wedding in the family, she is likely to become active and lay her hands on the sitting MLAs of the ruling party once she is free. It is to be seen how many MLAs would jump into the Congress and other parties once February enters.