Lack of support from Telangana Congress, Gadwal MLA Krishna Mohan Reddy switches back to BRS

Hyderabad: With panchayat elections round the corner, MLAs who switched from Bharat Rashtra Samithi to the Congress party in Telangana are feeling the heat as the Congress cadre is not supporting them.

Gadwal MLA Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy has returned back to BRS as there is a lot of angst and anger against him in the Congress cadre.

The cadre has strongly objected to his inclusion in the party, and at the ground level, there is no cooperation extended to him. Due to this, Reddy met with the BRS working president, K T Rama Rao, on Tuesday and said that he would continue in BRS only.

Ghar Wapsi to BRS

The return of BRS MLA is being seen as a setback to the ruling Congress party which had managed to switch 10 MLA's on their side.

Ghar Wapsi was prompted by the constant resistance of the Congress cadre. G Niranjan, senior vice-president of the Congress party, says, "The cadre was not happy with him as they have been fighting against him for the last 10 years. How is it possible for them to now embrace him? Also, his presence would mean that the state leadership would be guided by what he portrays to them. This was not acceptable to the cadre."

Panchayat elections

The panchayat elections are round the corner and those who are close to the MLA's in the constituency will play a major role. The Congress workers in Gadwal are queuing up with their representative. Congress MLA contestant Saritha Thirupataiah lost the election with a margin of 7036 votes and she has been opposing the presence of BRS MLA in the party.

"All these factors will play a major role in the panchayat elections," explained sources in Congress.

Opposition of senior Congress leader Jeevan Reddy

Senior Congress leader Jeevan Reddy also strongly opposed the inclusion of BRS MLA Dr Sanjiv Kumar in the party from Jagityal constituency. He was upset over the party welcoming his political rival and BRS MLA Dr A Sanjay Kumar without his knowledge. Jeevan Reddy threatened to quit the party. Senior Congress leaders of Telangana deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka, information minister Sridhar Babu and other leaders first tried to placate him. Finally chief minister Revanth Reddy also met him in Delhi along with AICC in-charge for Telangana Deepa Dasmunshi.

Revanth Reddy pointed out that confusion arose as PCC did not take necessary steps on political developments happening in the Jagtial Assembly segment. He claimed that there was a misunderstanding and both Central and State leadership of Congress have assured Jeevan Reddy that his role and importance within the party would remain intact. The Congress government would also seek suggestions and advice from Jeevan Reddy.

In the case of Krishna Mohan Reddy, due to the strong resistance from cadre, it is alleged that chief minister Revanth Reddy also sidelined him.

Background

BRS had won 39 of the total 119 Assembly constituencies in the elections, while Congress came to power winning 64 seats.

However, BRS MLA from Secunderabad Cantonment, G Lasya Nanditha, died in a road accident earlier this year. Congress won the by-poll for the Secunderabad Cantonment Assembly segment. This led to an increase in its strength to 65.

With addition of 10 BRS MLAs who crossed over to Congress, its strength rose to 75. However, Reddy has returned to the BRS fold. Others who are not getting support are also planning to come back to BRS, according to sources.

Six BRS MLCs have also joined the ruling party recently. With these defections, Congress' strength goes up to 10 in the 40-member Legislative Council.