Congress leader Ateli Maheshwar Reddy joins BJP

HYDERABAD: In a blow to the beleaguered Congress ahead of the state Assembly elections, former MLA from Nirmal constituency Alleti Maheshwar Reddy, who wields considerable clout in his constituency, quit the party to join the BJP in the presence of party’s national president J.P. Nadda in New Delhi on Thursday. His resignation comes a day after the Congress issued a show cause notice to Maheshwar Reddy requiring him to explain why no action should be taken for alleged anti-party activities within one hour, amid speculation that he will join the BJP.

Maheshwar Reddy sent his resignation to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday morning, and an hour later he was welcomed into the BJP by Nadda in New Delhi. The BJP views Maheswhar Reddy as a leader with a lot of influence in Nirmal district and the rest of old combined Adilabad district, and believes that his joining the party will increase the party’s presence and strength in the region. Also present at the meeting were BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, Telangana state BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar, party's state joinings committee convener and MLA Etala Rajendar, and former MP Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy.

Speaking to reporters, Maheshwar Reddy stated that he could no longer remain in the Congress due to a sustained campaign against him, and for the “reward” of a show cause notice with just one hour to respond after he worked selflessly for the party for 15 years.

“The goings-on in the Congress in Telangana state indicate that one leader is hell bent on driving all seniors away from the party. There is no clarity in the Congress party, and I decided to join the BJP to work like a soldier and do my part to ensure the BJP’s victory in the state over the undemocratic rule of the BRS. I am convinced that BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, is the only party that can cleanse Telangana of the BRS rule,” Maheshwar Reddy said.

Welcoming Maheshwar Reddy into the BJP, Sanjay Kumar stated that the Telangana BJP leaders were unified in their efforts to end BRS rule in the state, and that Maheshwar Reddy's inclusion will strengthen the party in Nirmal and its surrounding districts. Meanwhile, Chugh stated that Maheshwar Reddy was inspired by Prime Minister Narender Modi's efforts to improve the lives of the underprivileged and downtrodden in the country and decided to join the BJP.