MIFFED DAMODAR TO JOIN TRS TODAY

Says Nagam’s entry into Congress is to weaken Aruna

Former minister Nagam Janardhan Reddy’s entry into the Congress led to the exit of Legislative Council member K. Damodar Reddy from the party on Friday.

Mr Damodar Reddy, who had opposed the entry of Dr Janardhan Reddy into the Congress will be joining the TRS on Saturday in the presence of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Congress legislator D.K. Aruna had on Thursday met Mr Damodar Reddy and tried to persuade him not to leave the party but failed.

Speaking to this newspaper on Friday, Mr Damodar Reddy said he had no option except joining the TRS. “I am fighting against Nagam Janardhan Reddy in Nagarkurnool constituency for 25 years. Without talking to me, how could the Congress admit Nagam into the party? I have to protect my self-respect. Except joining the TRS, there is no other option,” he said.

He said the Congress would nominate Dr Janardhan Reddy in the 2019 elections. “How can I support him when I have been fighting him for 25 years,” he added.

He said that there was a political conspiracy to weaken Ms Aruna’s group in the district. “Ms Aruna met me and tried to convince me (to stay in the Congress). She also opposed Nagam’s entry into the Congress,” Mr Damodar Reddy said.

I am fighting against Nagam Janardhan Reddy in Nagarkurnool constituency for 25 years. Without talking to me, how could the Congress admit Nagam into the party? I have to protect my self-respect. Except joining the TRS, there is no other option — K. DAMODAR REDDY