Ravela Kishore joins Jana Sena party

A day after he quit from the ruling TDP in Andhra Pradesh, Former minister Ravela Kishore Babu joined the Jana Sena party Saturday. Formally welcoming Ravela into the party, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan said the latter rendered good services to the Scheduled Castes. Ravela quit the ruling Telugu Desam Party and also his Assembly membership Friday.

The development came as a jolt to the TDP as Ravela was the first legislator to walk out of the ruling party since 2014.

A first-time legislator, Ravela served as social welfare minister in the Chandrababu Naidu Cabinet from June 8, 2014, to April 1, 2017. He was sacked for non-performance and his controversial behaviour. He represented Prathipadu Assembly constituency in Guntur district but never maintained cordial relations with the local party leaders.

Speaking after admitting Ravela into his party, Kalyan denounced the growing caste politics in the state and stressed the need to put an end to it.

He also expressed concern over the widespread corruption in the state. "I supported TDP in 2014 with the hope that it will stay away from caste politics and root out corruption. Sadly, the two did not happen," Kalyan lamented.

(With inputs from agencies.)