Praveen firm on contesting Lok Sabha election
Ignoring BRS plea, exMLA Aruri Ramesh to join BJP
Hours after announcing his decision to quit the BSP Praveen Kumar dropped hints that his chances of contesting from Nagarkurnool parliamentary constituency are still open.
Sources close to the former IPS officer said that he is likely to hold a meeting with his supporters in a day or two. “I am open about entering the fray from Nagarkurnool whether as an independent or backed by likeminded party,” he is understood to have told his close aides. Indications available suggest that in case he decides to enter the field as an independent, the BRS leadership is likely to extend full support to him.
The former BSP State chief reportedly told his supporters that intense pressure was mounted by the party’s top leadership to announce cancellation of the poll tieup with the BRS. “How can I renegade on the open alliance with BRS? What will happen to my credibility?” he reportedly told his aides.
It is believed that Dr. Praveen Kumar reportedly mentioned that the BJP’s central leadership was upset with the Telangana unit of the BSP joining hands with the BRS and deciding to contest from two constituencies. The former IPS officer is believed to have made it clear that he would fight tooth and nail against the BJP’s communal and fascist policies and would continue to maintain cordial relationship with the BRS leadership.
When contacted, Mr. Praveen Kumar admitted that ever since the news of alliance between BRS and BSP was announced things started changing. “There was pressure from the high command to call off the poll tieup. I did not agree to that and decided to resign from the party and my post,” he said. He pointed out that contesting LS polls was his top priority.
Ignoring the desperate attempt by the BRS to retain him, former MLA Aruri Ramesh is all set to join the BJP on Sunday. Sources said Mr. Aruri Ramesh is joining the BJP in the presence of State unit chief G. Kishan Reddy. The BJP, it is understood, has decided to name him as the party nominee from Warangal SC reserved constituency.
High drama took place in Warangal earlier this week when Mr. Ramesh was about to hold a press conference to announce his decision to join the BJP. Senior BRS leaders brought him to Hyderabad for a meeting with BRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao. It is, however, understood that Mr. Ramesh, on his return home, conveyed to the BJP leaders his determination to join the party. MRPS founderManda Krishna Madiga is said to have played a big role in bring Mr. Ramesh and another leader G. Srinivas into the BJP fold. Mr. Srinivas was announced as candidate from Peddapalli SC reserved seat.
The party is strongly pitching to field Jalagam Venkat Rao from Khammam constituency after he joined the party in New Delhi. However, a few senior RSS leaders are said to be backing the candidature of a businessman named Vinod Rao. Sources said the party will ultimately give the ticket to Mr. Venkat Rao.