HYDERABAD: A day after quitting his YSRC-nominated Rajya Sabha seat, prominent Backward Classes leader R. Krishnaiah revealed that both the Congress and the BJP have invited him to join them. Speaking at a press conference at the BC Bhavan, Krishnaiah also disclosed that there is significant pressure from BC communities urging him to form a new political party dedicated to advancing the rights and representation of the BCs.
Krishnaiah, known for his longstanding advocacy for BC rights, said he would decide on his political future within a month. His primary goal, he said, is to push for increased BC quotas in legislative bodies and local governance, aiming for up to 50 per cent representation based on population ratios.
“There are offers from the Congress and the BJP, and there is also a lot of pressure from my followers and well-wishers to float a BC party. We are considering that option as well. I will make a decision in a month,” Krishnaiah said.
Krishnaiah, who serves as the national president of the National BC Welfare Association, clarified that his resignation was not due to any disagreements with the YSRC leadership. Instead, he explained that remaining in the party made it challenging to collaborate with leaders from other parties, particularly on BC-related issues.
“I have no issues with YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. The difficulty was in advancing my BC agenda while staying within the party," he said. Krishnaiah had been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the YSRC in June 2022, despite not being a party member, and still had nearly four years left in his term before resigning.
In a related development, Congress MP Mallu Ravi met with Krishnaiah on Wednesday to discuss his future plans. Ravi later told the media that he had invited Krishnaiah to join Congress, and Krishnaiah had responded positively to the offer.
As Krishnaiah weighs his options, speculation continues over whether he will join an established political party or take the bold step of forming a new political platform for the Backward Classes.
