'Ghar Wapsi': Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy wants ticket from LB Nagar for his brother?

Hyderabad: Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy’s meeting with AICC secretary Priyanka Gandhi has set the rumor mills churning about his brother’s return to Congress.

Post Karnataka Assembly elections, elder brother is making sure that his younger sibling and former MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy gets a party ticket.

Rajgopal remains in touch with Digvijay Singh

According to party sources, Rajgopal Reddy who remains unhappy within BJP particularly following his loss in the Munugode bypoll remains in touch with AICC’s top brass including former Telangana in-charge Digvijay Singh.

“Even before the Karnataka elections, despite being part of the BJP Rajgopal maintained his relationship with national leaders. The urge has only increased following the Congress party’s win in Karnataka and as Telangana goes to poll next,” said a former AICC member.

Former MLA had lost with over 10,000 votes to BRS

In the Mugude by-poll, Rajgopal Reddy lost to Koosukuntla Prabhakar Reddy with over 10,300 votes. He got a 38.38% vote share. Prabhakar Reddy received 97,006 votes with a vote share of 42.95%. Earlier in 2018, he had won with over 22,400 votes on the Congress ticket. He had got more than 50% vote share against the BRS leader while receiving over 96,000 votes.

Alleging humiliation had resigned from Congress

Rajgopal Reddy had formally resigned from the party on August 4 alleging that despite being a ‘loyal worker’ he faced humiliation from the PCC chief, A Revanth Reddy. After leaving Congress, Rajgopal faced grave allegations from the party leaders. Former MP Madhu Yashki had alleged that as part of a ‘quid pro quo’ deal with the BJP, he received a major coal mine contract.

He had alleged that while sidelining major business group Adani, the ‘hard bargain’ in Delhi worked for him before he joined BJP. However, in recent months he reportedly expressed dissatisfaction while being at the saffron party while in the company of his followers.

LB Nagar the best bet for him

Venkat Reddy’s meeting with Priyanka on Friday has raised eye-brows and party insiders believe that the elder brother is strongly batting for his younger brother who parted ways with the party in August 2022 and setting off stage for one of the most electrifying campaigns the state has ever seen.

“Venkat Reddy is convincing national leaders that he will be the winning candidate. L B Nagar constituency is considered to be the best bet, as most of the Nalgonda district’s natives are voters there and hence his winning chances go up. Moreover, the Congress voter base in the constituency is strong, as even sitting MLA D Sudheer Reddy won from the party ticket before defecting to BRS. Anything is possible in Congress party, but those joining will ensure they get a party ticket which is half the battle won,” said a ticket aspirant from City.

Would not be a cake-walk, if he returns

Meanwhile, seniors have expressed dissatisfaction over the development and remain apprehensive. “If it is so then what do loyalists like us have to do? Is it all about the upper caste? On one side there is Reddy domination and on another side there are Velamas. What is there for BCs in Telangana?” a former MP asked.