In a significant development, Nagam Janardhan Reddy, a seasoned political figure who held ministerial positions in undivided Andhra Pradesh from 1995 to 2004 as part of the TDP, officially joined the BRS on Sunday, October 29.
Sources indicate that Reddy’s decision was influenced by his discontent over not being nominated by the Congress for the Nagarkurnool Assembly seat.
Instead, the party fielded K Rajesh Reddy, the son of BRS MLC K Damodar Reddy, a move that left Janardhan Reddy disheartened.
Expressing his grievances, Janardhan Reddy leveled serious allegations against the state leadership of the Congress.
Upon learning of Janardhan Reddy’s inclination to align with the BRS, Telangana ministers KT Rama Rao (KTR) and T Harish Rao paid a visit to his residence and extended an invitation for him to join their ranks.
Following this meeting, Janardhan Reddy informed reporters on Sunday that he had submitted his resignation letter to party president Mallikarjun Kharge earlier in the day.
Commitment to the BRS Cause
Janardhan Reddy, who had joined the Congress in 2018 during N Uttam Kumar Reddy’s tenure as TPCC president, explained that he made the decision to part ways with the party in deference to the wishes of his supporters.
He pointed out, “The Congress overlooked its long-standing loyalists, who stood by it through thick and thin, and instead, awarded tickets to recent entrants.” He also emphasized his dedication to ensuring the victory of BRS candidate Marri Janardhan Reddy, underscoring that the Congress had not honored its Udaipur declaration when allocating tickets.
“I felt humiliated within the party.There’s no place for those who fought tirelessly for Telangana’s cause and worked to strengthen the Congress.My supporters urged me to sever ties with the Congress and join the BRS,” he stated.
A Long-standing Friendship
Meanwhile, BRS working president KTR highlighted the longstanding camaraderie between Janardhan Reddy and Chief Minister KCR, spanning over four decades.He assured that Janardhan Reddy and his supporters would hold a respected position within the party, emphasizing his unwavering advocacy for the Telangana state.
Janardhan Reddy’s political journey commenced with the TDP, where he served as both the Minister of Health and Minister of Home Affairs from 1995 to 2004.His tenure saw the fervent Telangana movement at its zenith.
Despite a temporary suspension from the TDP in 2011 for ‘anti-party activities,’ he remained deeply committed to the Telangana cause.Janardhan Reddy even ventured into forming a new party called the Telangana Nagara Samithi, though it eventually disbanded.Subsequently, he merged forces with the BJP.In 2018, after his departure from the BJP, he found a new political home in the Congress.”
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