Neglected for long, Tummala and Ponguleti hint at quitting BRS  

HYDERABAD: BRS senior leaders from Khammam district, former minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao and former Lok Sabha member Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy dropped hints of quitting the party if they don't get party tickets to contest the upcoming Assembly elections. Both leaders resorted to a show of strength on Sunday and hosted lunch for their supporters in their respective constituencies on the occasion of New Year. Rao also performed a house-warming ceremony in Paleru constituency, once represented by him. His supporters, including local leaders, turned up in large numbers.

Although neither as such stated about quitting the ruling party, they indirectly dropped hints by expressing their dissatisfaction over the state of affairs in the party’s Khammam unit. They are upset at the BRS leadership for not giving them due recognition in the party. They have been staying away from party activities ever since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing the gathering, Rao stated that he had developed Khammam district tremendously in his 40-year political career. He said he worked as a minister under N.T. Rama Rao, N. Chandrababu Naidu and K. Chandrashekar Rao and the cooperation extended by the three chief ministers in executing irrigation projects were unforgettable.

His supporters raised slogans demanding a ticket for him in the next Assembly elections. They vowed to stand behind him, whatever decision he takes with regard to his political future. Nearly 10,000 booklets were distributed to party workers explaining the developments achieved in the district by Rao in the last four decades.

Reddy, on the other hand, asked his supporters to maintain restraint and wait for the party high command's decision on his political future. He said everyone knew how BRS leadership was treating him since 2019 Lok Sabha polls for which he was denied a ticket.