BJP delegation invited Ponguleti, Jupally into party fold, decision not yet finalised

HYDERABAD: Former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and former minister Jupally Krishna Rao did not commit themselves to joining the BJP after five hours of discussions with a delegation of BJP leaders led by admissions chairman Etala Rajendar, in Khammam on Thursday.

The two leaders have been suspended by the BRS. The BJP delegation had gone to meet them on the directions of Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda.

“We are hopeful that both leaders will respond positively,” he said. After discussions with their followers and well-wishers, Srinivas Reddy and Krishna Rao may join the BJP, he said.

Srinivas Reddy said that he was ready to contest against Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao if he fought the Assembly election in Khammam district. Speaking with mediapersons after the discussions, he said Chandrashekar Rao had smashed the apirations of the people. “All sections of society had expected a bright future in a separate state but KCR adopted selfish policies,” he said. “Our aim is to oust the BRS government from the power to protect the interests of people.”

Rajendar said that people were strongly opposed to the dictatorial, aristocratic and corrupt BRS government. Srinivas Reddy and Krishana Rao were working to protect the interests of the people in Khammam and Mahbubnagar districts, he said.

Rajendar said Chandrashekar Rao had taken Congress MLAs and MLCs into the BRS fold by offering them money and posts. The BJP will fight against the BRS government by overcoming any challenges, he said. BJP MLA M. Raghunandan Rao, former MLAs A. Maheshwar Reddy, E. Ravinder Reddy, former MP Konda Vishveshwar Reddy, Yannam Srinivas Reddy took part in the discussions with Srinivas Reddy and Krishna Rao.