BJP's Rajendar meets with former BRS leaders amid political speculation

Hyderabad: Senior BJP leader Etala Rajendar, who heads the party committee to invite leaders, on Thursday had a long and hush-hush meeting with former BRS leaders Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, and Jupally Krishna Rao, amidst rumours that they were getting close taking a decision on their political action plans.

Asked about the meeting, Rajendar said they were his friends for many years and it was not uncommon for them to meet once in a while. “This was a meeting between friends,” he said.

The meeting came in the midst of some speculation that the two former BRS leaders were considering either setting up a regional party of their own, and were inviting like-minded leaders to join them, or were joining the Congress. It may be recalled that Rajendar, along with other BJP leaders, had met with Srinivas Reddy and Krishna Rao earlier this month and invited them to join the BJP.