Kiran Kumar Reddy was welcomed into the BJP by senior leaders in New Delhi.
New Delhi:
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy joined the BJP on Friday, changing into the second ex-Congress chief from South India to change sides in as many days, after Anil Antony, the son of Congress veteran from Kerala, AK Antony.
Mr Reddy, who served because the final Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh earlier than the formation of Telangana state in 2014, resigned from the Congress in March 2023 over variations with the celebration management.
Mr Reddy’s choice to affix the BJP comes forward of the meeting elections in Andhra Pradesh subsequent yr, the place the ruling YSR Congress and the principle opposition Telugu Desam Social gathering are locked in a bitter contest. The transfer might probably tip the scales in favour of the BJP, which is hoping to make inroads within the state.
The 62-year-old politician had resigned from the Congress as soon as earlier than in 2014, after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, and shaped his celebration, ‘Jai Samaikyandhra’. Nevertheless, he didn’t make an electoral influence within the 2014 polls. He later rejoined the Congress in 2018 however remained inactive in politics for a very long time.
Mr Reddy, who hails from the Rayalaseema area, is anticipated to strengthen the BJP’s presence within the space the place he has appreciable affect. He is also projected as a possible chief ministerial candidate by the BJP, which is making an attempt to emerge as a 3rd different within the state.
Anil Antony, who joined the BJP a day in the past, welcomed Mr Reddy to the celebration.
Welcome Kiran Kumar Reddy ji to the @BJP4India ! Glad you might have additionally joined the group that’s working for India’s core nationwide pursuits and for public pursuits with out prejudice and bias.
What number of extra ought to say that the emperor has no garments earlier than the grand royals… https://t.co/ZUKzJ9mPJU— Anil Okay Antony (@anilkantony) April 7, 2023
Mr Reddy praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he was welcomed into the BJP by senior leaders on the celebration’s headquarters in New Delhi. Citing his household’s six-decade-long affiliation with the Congress, Mr Reddy stated he “by no means imagined” he would depart the celebration.
He hit out at his Congress management for its “lack of ability to simply accept the folks’s verdict and make course correction”. “They imagine they’re right and all others, together with the folks of India, are flawed,” he stated.
“They need authority to regulate however do not wish to work laborious or take any accountability… The Congress is getting broken in all states and its excessive command doesn’t work together with others or take their opinion,” stated the four-time former MLA.
“I had by no means imagined that I am going to have to depart Congress… There’s a saying, ‘My king could be very clever, he would not suppose on his personal, would not take heed to anybody’s recommendation’,” Mr Reddy stated.
Praising the BJP’s leaders led by PM Modi for his or her “laborious work and dedication in the direction of the nation”, he stated, “They’ve readability of thought and consistency, and taking brave choices is the hallmark of the federal government.”