Congress ramps up operation Akarsh to bring BRS MLAs and MLCs into its fold

Party sources said that several BRS MLAs and MLCs are evincing interest in joining the Congress before the ssembly session in July. The state party leadership has consulted the high command to seek approval for the switch-over.

The Congress launched operation ‘Op. Akarsh’ for the first time in March after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that he was opening the 'gates' to welcome BRS leaders into the Congress. In an almost immediate response, BRS MLAs Danam Nagender (Khairatabad), Kadiam Srihari (Station Ghanpur) and Tellam Venkat Rao (Bhadrachalam) joined the ruling party.
The joining spree came to a halt due to the Lok Sabha elections. Although several BRS legislators met Revanth Reddy earlier, raising speculations of an imminent move, it did not happen. It was said that they wanted to wait for the Lok Sabha election results to get clarity on the future of BRS. With the BRS failing to win a single seat, it is learnt that several of its MLAs and MLCs have firmed up their decision to join Congress as the BRS had no future.

Congress sources said that 10 BRS MLAs, mostly from Greater Hyderabad limits, are ready to join the party. It is likewise with a dozen BRS MLCs, who are also reportedly in touch with the Congress leadership, in order to protect their political interests.

The BRS had won 39 of 119 seats in the Assembly elections. Of these, the Congress wrested the Secunderabad Cantonment Assembly seat bypoll recently. With three of its MLAs shifting to the Congress, the BRS strength in the Assembly has come down to 35.

The Congress is planning to strip the main Opposition status that the BRS enjoys by weaning away 26 of its MLAs into its fold.