In 24 hours, MLA Prakash Goud takes U-turn, says not quitting BRS

Hyderabad: Within 24 hours after informing chief minister Revanth Reddy that he would switch to Congress in a day or two, Rajendranagar BRS MLA Prakash Goud took a U-turn.

After meeting Rajendranagar constituency leaders and supporters, the MLA said that he will continue in BRS as per their wishes. According to a video released by Goud, he said, “Local leaders impressed upon me not to leave BRS as the party did not ignore me in the last 10 years. They have urged me to stay in the party.”

He, however, said that he will meet CM once again and also hold a meeting with his constituency leaders at an appropriate time about his future course of action.

Prakash Goud met CM Revanth thrice

If one may recall, Prakash Goud met Revanth Reddy thrice till now after Congress formed the government. The first time he took an appointment with the CM was on January 18. Speculations did rounds soon that he was keen on shifting loyalties towards Congress. However, he clarified later that the meeting with the CM was only for constituency-related development works and activities. Later, Prakash Goud met the CM again. On Friday, the Rajendranagar MLA called on CM Revanth for the third time and conveyed to the latter that he would meet his local supporters and join Congress in a day or two. However, he took a U-turn now taking political circles by surprise again.

He, however, said that he would meet CM once again and also hold a meeting with his constituency leaders at an appropriate time about his future course of action.

This was his third meeting with the chief minister Revanth Reddy after the formation of the Congress government in Telangana. The flip-flop by Goud showed that he did not consult the local leaders before taking the step.

Goud’s presence in Rajendranagar

Prakash Reddy has won four consecutive terms as MLA from the Rajendranagar segment in the 2009, 2014, 2018 and 2023 Assembly elections. He was elected on a TDP ticket in the 2009 and 2014 elections but moved to BRS in 2014 as a result of Operation Aakarsh by the ruling party when many opposition MLAs from TDP and Congress joined the pink brigade.

Prakash Goud joins with three other sitting MLAs from BRS: Danam Nagender (Khairatabad), Kadiyam Srihari (Station Ghanpur) and Tellam Venkat Rao (Bhadrachalam) who joined Congress in the last five months after the party formed the Telangana State government.

BRS leaders joining Congress

MP K Keshav Rao, MLC Patnam Mahender Reddy and his wife and Vikarabad ZP chairperson Sunitha Mahender Reddy, sitting MPs G Ranjith Reddy (Chevella), B Venkatesh Netha (Peddapalli), Pasunuri Dayaker (Warangal), GHMC mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi and ex-mayor Bonthu Rammohan, T Venkat Rao, S Venugopala Chary, D Rajeshwar Rao, Kadiyam Kavya, Kancharla Chandrashekar Reddy (Allu Arjun’s father-in-law) and a few GHMC corporators have switched from BRS to Congress.