Telangana BJP gets a rude jolt as Ramagundam trade union leader Kaushik Hari joins BRS

A few days ago, Tellam Venkata Rao, who joined the Congress recently, returned to the BRS, ostensibly because of the inhospitable ecosystem in the Congress. He had joined the Congress along with his leader, former MP Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.

It is also said that another leader close to Srinivasa Reddy is preparing to switch over to BRS.

Also read: Is it MLA Jagga Reddy’s turn to abandon the grand old party?

Union leader with clout

Losing Hari to the BRS has come as a shock for the BJP even as it has been beefing up its campaigning for the ensuing Assembly elections.

Hari, a trade union leader, might come in handy for the BRS. He had lost the election, as a candidate of actor Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party, to the Assembly from Ramagundam by a narrow margin in 2009. He went down fighting the 2014 election too.

He has considerable influence among the oragnised and unorganised workforce in Ramagundam.

According to sources, the BRS is making efforts to poach as many leaders as possible from both the Congress and the BJP to demoralise its cadres besides powering its campaign by organising mega public meetings across the state.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is scheduled to address a huge public meeting on 20 August at Suryapet while Rama Rao has become more visible, both on social media and on the ground.

Related: BRS powers ahead on Telangana campaign track; BJP, Congress lag

Waiting for Jagga Reddy

BRS sources indicated to South First that the party’s efforts to bag senior leaders from rival parties continues apace.

Next in line is said to be Sangareddy Congress MLA T Jayaprakash Reddy, popularly known as Jagga Reddy. Speculation is rife that he might make the move any time.

The sources said that, although he has wanted to join the ranks of the pink party for some time now, he was uncertain whether it was the right decision.

Unable to find answers to several “what ifs”, he is understood to have put off the decision. According to the sources, Jagga Reddy was worried on three counts.

One, how it would look if the Congress came to power after he joined the BRS. Two, if he won as a Congress nominee and the BRS retained power. And finally the foreboding prospect: That he may lose the election to the BRS as a Congress nominee, and the BRS comes to power.

With elections drawing closer, however, the Sangareddy leader — easily identifiable by his characteristic flowing beard — appears to have made up his mind to join the BRS sooner than later.

However, the speculation about Jagga Reddy’s move has caused disquiet in the party in his district. Local leader Chinta Prabhakar, a former MLA, is reportedly upset as he has been dreaming of a win from Sangareddy on a BRS ticket.

There are other aspirants as well who want to contest from the constituency. They include Patnam Mankyam, vice-chairman of District Congress Committee, G Srihari, Prabhu Goud, and S Harikishan.