After lying low for over a year following his defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections, YSR Congress Party leader and former Dharmavaram MLA Kethireddy Venkatarami Reddy has become active again, regularly holding party meetings and taking up organisational programmes in the constituency.
Addressing a large gathering of YSRCP workers in Dharmavaram on Tuesday, Kethireddy came down heavily on party leaders who, according to him, “enjoyed power” when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was in office but switched sides during difficult times.
Targeting defectors, he warned that leaders who left the party for posts and personal benefits would not be allowed to return under any circumstances.
“If they try to come back in the name of relationships or friendships, they will be stopped at the gate itself and beaten with chappals,” he said in a strongly worded remark.
Emphasising political ethics, Kethireddy said the party would respect even its political opponents who fight openly, but would not accept those who had “betrayed” the organisation from within.
He asserted that there was no need to compromise one’s character for opportunistic politics.
Reassuring party cadres who remained loyal despite the loss of power, he said the YSRCP would give priority to committed workers and would not depend on those who defected for positions.
“Character matters in politics. Those without it will find the doors of the YSRCP permanently closed,” he declared.