Electoral politics in Telangana is taking a new turn with key leaders from the BJP leaving the party or expressing their unhappiness. The Congress is trying to capitalise on this situation by inviting these leaders to join their party and offer them tickets to contest the upcoming elections.
This has led to tensions within the BJP, with former state BJP chief Bandi Sanjay also expressing his dissatisfaction. In response to the brewing discord, Delhi BJP leaders have intervened in an attempt to rectify the situation and maintain party unity.
The Telangana elections hold substantial implications for the BJP. There were speculations that former MPs Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy and Vivek are on the verge of joining the Congress.
However on October 25, Raj Gopal Reddy had resigned from the BJP and has decided to return to the Congress. It must be noted that Raj Gopal Reddy, brother of Congress MP from Bhongir, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, was in the Congress party MLA till August 2022.
Reports suggest that Raj Gopal Reddy has been offered the Munugodu constituency and is likely to contest as a Congress candidate.
This decision was reached after discussions with his followers and prominent activists who have expressed their unwavering support for his return to the Congress fold.
Vivek, too, is likely to represent the constituency as a Congress candidate. Moreover, it is expected that several other BJP leaders may follow suit, with Delhi leaders closely monitoring developments in Telangana.
Rajagopal Reddy’s disappointment stemmed from his omission in the BJP’s initial candidate list. He had anticipated that the party would allocate two seats for his family, one for himself from the Munugode constituency and the other for his wife from LB Nagar constituency. However, the party high command’s decision to exclude these constituency names from the first list came as a shock to him. Meanwhile, the former minister, Eatala Rajender, was given the opportunity to contest in two seats (Huzurabad and Gajwel). Recognizing Rajagopal’s discontent, the Congress Party extended an olive branch to him, paving the way for his potential return.
Following the episodes involving Rajagopal Reddy and Vivek, it appears that two or three more prominent leaders from the BJP may consider departing from the party. Among them, a two-time MP from North Telangana has expressed reluctance to contest in the Assembly polls. Sources suggest that he is preparing to sever ties with the BJP and join the Congress, as he faces mounting pressure from the BJP leadership to run in the assembly polls.
Rumors also circulate regarding another female leader who has harbored grievances about the party’s leadership style for some time. It is speculated that she is actively exploring the possibility of switching party affiliations. Meanwhile, the Congress has unveiled its first list of candidates while withholding the release of the second list. Questions have arisen regarding the decision to deploy party spokesperson Rani Rudrama, originally from the undivided Warangal district, to contest against KTR in Siricilla.
Also, former state BJP chief Bandi Sanjay, who has been confined to assembly duties, has expressed dissatisfaction with the high command. In response, Delhi leaders have embarked on a strategy of appeasement. Party insiders reveal that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s upcoming visit to Telangana on October 27th will involve concerted efforts to prevent further defections among party leaders to other political entities.”
