Desertions wave hits BRS: party leaders abandon ship ahead of Parliament polls
Opposition party Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) continues to witness the desertion of leaders one after another seeking “better political fortunes” ahead of the Parliament (Lok Sabha) elections with more leaders either quitting the party or crystallising their plans to leave the party in the coming days.
Former Minister and Medchal MLA C. Malla Reddy along with his son C. Bhadra Reddy, who has been an aspirant for the Malkajigiri Lok Sabha Constituency, met Deputy Chief Minister of Karnakata D.K. Shiva Kumar in Bengaluru on Thursday, leading to rumours that they are planning to quit BRS.
Their meeting took place in a private programme there as claimed by Mr. Malla Reddy, though it is learnt to have taken place at a hotel. Mr. Malla Reddy’s meeting with Mr. Shiva Kumar, considered close to Telangana Chief Minster A. Revanth Reddy, assumes significance as it comes close on the heels of the State government action against educational institutions run by Mr. Malla Reddy and his soninlaw, Rajasekhar Reddy, for alleged encroachment.
A few days ago, Mr. Malla Reddy also met political adviser to the Chief Minister Vem Narender Reddy after portions of some buildings at one of their educational institutions were demolished on charges of encroachment of tank/lake area. Mr. Bhadra Reddy has backed out from contesting the election following the developments. Mr. Malla Reddy is learnt to have stated that he would quit politics after serving this term as MLA with BRS.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Malla Reddy said he had met Mr. Shiv Kumar regarding taking over a private university in Bengaluru. “I met him at a reception and a friend of mine facilitated the meeting for the university,” he said. Meanwhile, his soninlaw Marri Rajashekhar Reddy said he did not accompany him and was not even aware of the said meeting. “I am in the BRS and will continue in the party,” he said.
Aruri Ramesh quits
On the other hand, twotime BRS MLA from Wardhannapet Aroori Ramesh called it quits with the BRS even after meeting party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday. He went to New Delhi on Thursday to join the BJP on the assurance that he would be fielded by the party from Warangal in the Lok Sabha polls. He had lost the recent Assembly election as BRS candidate.
One more BRS leader E. Peddi Reddy also announced quitting the party on Thursday and is likely to join Congress after sailing with BRS for 2.5 years. Earlier, he was with the Telugu Desam Party and joined the BJP later.