Bharatiya Janata Party, which has seen an opportunity to grow as a formidable force in Telangana following its victories in Dubbak assembly by-polls and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections, has decided to go all out to strengthen its leadership.
As part of the strategy, BJP is luring as many senior and potential leaders as possible from the rival parties – particularly the Congress, which has become completely beleaguered following a series of debacles in the elections in Telangana.
After recording an emphatic win in the GHMC elections, the BJP’s next target is the by-elections to Nagarjunasagar assembly seat, which has fallen vacant due to sudden demise of sitting MLA Nomula Narasimhaiah.
If the BJP can win this seat, it will send a strong message to the people that the saffron party is the only party which can put up a fight against the TRS.
But it is easier said than done in Nagarjunasagar, where the Congress as well as the Communists are very strong. The BJP is in an insignificant position and In 2018 December, its candidate Kankanala Nivedita had polled just 2,675 votes in the assembly elections.
On the other hand, Congress candidate K Jana Reddy had lost the seat by a narrow margin of 7,000 votes. This time, the Congress is also planning to go all out to win the seat.
Taking advantage of Jana Reddy’s clout in Nagarjunasagar, the BJP is making a desperate bid to rope Jana Reddy into the party.
According to sources, the party leadership is understood to have offered Governor post to Jana Reddy, while his son Raghuveer Reddy would be given the BJP ticket from Nagarjunasagar.
It is learnt Jana Reddy has accepted the offer, but said he would take a call only if he gets a concrete assurance from this effect from the top BJP leadership.
“Once Delhi gives its nod, it is only a matter of time that Jana Reddy will take a plunge into the BJP,” sources said.
As of now, Jana Reddy declared that he had no intentions to quit the Congress and join the BJP. He dismissed the reports as just rumours. He hoped that the Congress would find ways to rejuvenate itself in the elections.
A decision would be taken after state BJP president Bandi Sanjay returns from New Delhi, where he discussed the issue with the top BJP leadership.
