Former minister joins YSRCP

VISAKHAPATNAM: The YSRC once again kicked off operation Akarsh in the district with former Congress minister Matsyarasa Balaraju joining Jaganmohan Reddy’s party during the public meeting held at Paderu in the Visakha agency on Wednesday.
Balaraju, who was stationery and horticulture minister in the Nedurumalli Janardhana Reddy cabinet in the 90s, along with former Paderu mandala praja parishad president SV V Ramana Murthy, joined Jagan’s party in the presence of Anakapalli Lok Sabha member Sabbam Hari and the Araku constituency YSRC in-charge Kumba Ravi Babu.Ramana Murthy is a strong supporter of state tribal welfare minister Pasupuleti Balaraju, sources said.
Matsyarasa Balaraju belongs to the Bhagata tribe which has a sizeable presence in the Paderu Assembly constituency and is the elder brother of former TDP minister M Mani Kumari’s husband M Venkata Raju, who was killed by Maoists.
However, Congress sources said the crossing over of Balaraju, over to YSRC would not have any impact on the Congress as he has not been very active for the past few years.