Hyderabad: Tickets to BRS turncoats trigger row; Telangana Congress VP G Niranjan writes to Kharge

Hyderabad: Telangana Congress leaders are upset with their high command for giving tickets to Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) turncoats in the Lok Sabha polls. Party leaders and workers have objected to the nomination of Danam Nagender for Secunderabad, Dr G Ranjith Reddy for Chevella, and Patnam Sunita Reddy for Malkajgiri.

Niranjan writes to Kharge

In a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior vice president of Telangana Congress G Niranjan said: “The people of Telangana have defeated BRS and voted Congress to power in the state. But by nominating them, we are going against the people's expectations. This is an insult to the Congress cadre and will demoralize them.”

What is the message to people?

“People of Telangana have given Congress party mandate. Why are BRS turncoats being given party tickets,” asked a senior member of the party. How can an MP who was extremely close to BRS Chief K ChandraShekar Rao, change parties over night and now be given a ticket. Similar with BRS MLA Danam Nagender, why was he given a ticket above all Congress candidates who worked hard for the party.

Financial matters

Senior members of the Congress party say that the tickets have been given keeping the financial issues in mind. A senior member on condition of anonymity said, “Congress has been weak in these areas. The decision has been taken keeping the clout of these leaders in the locality.”

Reconsider decision

Niranjan said that they want the central committee to reconsider the decision. “The message going out to the people and cadre is that those who were a part of BRS are going to continue to rule but with the name of Congress, which is not what we fought for,” said Niranjan.

“There are loyal and committed Congressmen who have stood with the party in good and bad days and it is important to appreciate them. This decision of the central committee has hurt their feelings,” he added.