Former MLA Vangaveeti Radha continues to maintain distance from the YSR Congress party activities. In the death anniversary ceremonies of his father Ranga also, there are no YCP flags visible at the meetings attended by him. Moreover, Radha has said clarity will emerge on his future political career soon.

Radha contested on YCP ticket from Vijayawada East segment in 2014 when he lost the election. Later on, he wanted to contest from Vijayawada Central and this became a matter of conflict between him and the party leadership. Jagan is preferring former MLA Malladi Vishnu’s leadership in Vijayawada Central. But Radha took it as a matter of prestige and he plans to hurt the YCP if he is denied a chance to contest from the seat of his choice.

Because of the changing equations, the gaps between Radha and Jagan have been growing with no party leader willing to mediate between them. Radha has considerable following from his community. There are pressures on him to consider shifting party loyalties to the TDP or Jana Sena party.

Radha’s advisers are of the view it is the YSRCP which needs the support of Radha’s family following more in Krishna, Guntur and Godavari districts. If there is no expected respect from the YCP, Radha may not hesitate to say good bye to Jagan soon.

G.Ravkiran