Nagam waits for Rahul visit to join Congress

Hyderabad: BJP leader and former minister Nagam Janardhan Reddy and two more senior BJP leaders are waiting for the visit of Congress president Rahul Gandhi to Telangana to join the grand old party.

Sources in the party informed that N Janardhan Reddy, BJP leaders -- Yennam Srinivas Reddy and Jitta Balakrishna Reddy -- would join the Congress whenever Rahul visits Telangana in February or March. Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit the state to participate in the proposed ‘Bus Yatra’ of the party.

However, the high command is yet to give its nod to the yatra and to finalise the exact dates of the visit of Rahul to the state. If the high command did not give permission to the Bus Yatra, the Congress is planning a public meeting of STs and BCs in Warangal or Khammam in February or March and has decided to invite Rahul to the programme.

Congress sources said that the high command has cleared admission of Janardhan Reddy into the party despite objections. The party sources said that the high command wants to take Janardhan Reddy aboard though party MLA DK Aruna has raised objections.

DK Aruna, who was not happy about admission of Janardhan Reddy, has camped in Delhi for two days recently and submitted her objections to the high command. She reportedly told the party leaders that there would be no use by admitting Janardhan Reddy into the party. Janardhan Reddy already changed two parties and his credibility was low.

The high command has rejected the argument and reportedly told Aruna to work along with Janardhan Reddy and with those who join the Congress. She was told that clinching the victory for the party in the state was more important than accepting the wishes of the leaders.

On the other hand, Janardhan Reddy who worked as minister in Telugu Desam government and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party is not so comfortable in the saffron party and is quite serious about joining the Congress. BJP’s efforts to convince him to continue in the party have failed.

Along with Janardhan Reddy other two BJP leaders Yennam Srinivas Reddy and J Balakrishna Reddy have also expressed their willingness to join the Congress. Their requests have been taken to the notice of the high command which has cleared them.

Party sources said that Janardhan Reddy’s entry into Congress would strengthen the organisation in the state, particularly in South Telangana. He has some following among the people, particularly among Telugu Desam supporters. His presence in Congress would attract Telugu Desam voters towards the Congress and would improve the vote bank to a certain extent.