Ex-MLA leaves BJP over tickets

Hyderabad: Protests erupted in the TS-BJP on Thursday over selection of candidates for the GHMC polls, with former MLA and senior party leader Prem Singh Rathore resigning from the primary membership of the party.

Mr Rathore accused the party leadership of giving tickets to newcomers from the Congress while depriving genuine party workers of an opportunity.

The BJP tried to control the damage, with Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya trying to mollify Mr Rathore, but the former MLA stuck to his guns.

Elsewhere, BJP activists ran amok at the residence of party MLA N.V.S.S. Prabhakar and damaged his car in protest against denial of ticket to Sudarshan Goud for Cherlapalli municipal division.

The damage by the protesters, believed to be supporters of Mr Goud, forced police to post a picket at his MLA’s residence.

Meanwhile, rebel MLA Raja Singh minced no words while expressing his anger after none of the aspirants recommended by him were given the ticket.

“Selection of candidates was not done properly. None of the candidates recommended by me were given ticket. Incompetent persons got the tickets,” he said.

Raja Singh had crossed swords with TS BJP chief G. Kishan Reddy and levelled serious allegations against him earlier.

Meanwhile, BJP Ranga Reddy Urban president Misala Chandraiah too resigned from the party post, alleging senior leaders had sold the tickets.

Angry BJP activists also staged protests at the state BJP office over denial of tickets to party workers.

However, Mr Kishan Reddy and BJP Floor leader K. Laxman denied the allegations.