Katasani Rambhupal Reddy likely to join TD, BJP to suffer a big blow
KURNOOL: Senior BJP leader Katasani Rambhupal Reddy, a five-time MLA from Panyam constituency in Kurnool district, is all set to join the ruling Telugu Desam. With his entry, the TD may further consolidate in Banaganpalle, Panyam, and Koilkuntla and Dhone constituencies. TD district president Shilpa Chakrapani Reddy said their efforts to strengthen would continue as people are with the ruling party. Political analysts say it would be a blow to BJP in the state.
Mr Reddy, a strong leader in his constituency, is torn between joining the BJP and YSRC. While the YSR Congress party promised him to field as its MP candidate from Nandyal in the 2019 elections, the BJP has been wooing him as a probable candidate for Panyam constituency. A close aide of Mre Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that though he was in BJP as a senior leader from Rayalaseema, the party had not been giving him priority. ‘BJP state president Haribabu ,an MP, is a native of Visakhapatnam. His proximity is only with leaders from that region. He cannot assess the strengths of Rayalaseema leaders, particularly leaders from Kurnool.”
When BJP held its state meeting at Kurnool in February, the fissures were clearly visible as only lukewarm importance was given to Rayalaseema leaders. “Though the BJP is gaining prominence in the nation under Prime Minister Narender Modi’s leadership, the political calculations in AP are totally different, said a political observer. With the YSR Congress still not spelling out the probable role for Katasani, it appears he was lapped up by TD leadership with Panyam seat as an offer.
When contacted, Mr Reddy said that ‘it is premature’ to talk anything about it. However, he did not deny the possibility of his switch over to the ruling Telugu Desam. The Kurnool district TD unit is likely to gain more strength as some more leaders from other parties plan to join it post Bhuma Nagi Reddy. The recent election results in the Graduate teachers constituency had shocked the district unit of TD. Though K.J. Reddy was projected as the industrialist who could generate employment to thousands of people, that did not sell at the hustings. With such results, the TD is trying to strengthen the base strengthen its sinews and face the next election with rock solid confidence, an insider said.
