Fear of backlash from Muslims delaying Venugopala Chary’s BJP switchover

ADILABAD: Senior TRS leader S. Venugopala Chary and former Congress MLA Aleti Maheshwar Reddy are reportedly eyeing a switchover to the BJP, for which they are in touch with the party high command. While they wait, there is also worry in their camp about the possible loss of support from the considerable number of Muslim voters in Nirmal and Mudhole Assembly constituencies.

Minorities play a decisive role here, and the the BJP has never won Assembly seats though it has a strong presence here.

According to rough estimates, there are nearly 40,000 Muslim votes in Mudhole and around 30,000 in Nirmal Assembly constituency. The Munnurukapu community has a considerable number of votes.

Chary and Reddy have been discussing with their associates, minority leaders, party cadre, and second-rung on their winning prospects if they join the BJP.

Mandava Venkateshwar Rao, Tummala Nageswara Rao and Chary have been waiting for the right time to switch loyalties. There are also whispers that 12 former TD leaders from various districts are likely to join the BJP.

A senior Congress leader said that the impact of the minority votes would not be much since they will be divided between the TRS and Congress candidates.

Chary contested on a TRS ticket in Mudhole. Prior to that he was elected from Nirmal on a TD ticket. Maheshwar Reddy won on a Praja Rajyam ticket and later joined the Congress.