BJP gains traction as five leaders switch

NEW DELHI: In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in Telangana and bolster its Lok Sabha tally in the southern state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed four leaders from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and one from the Congress into its fold on Sunday.

Former BRS MPs Godam Nagesh and Sitaram Nayak, along with former BRS MLAs Saidy Reddy and Jalagam Venkat Rao, alongside Srinivas Gomase from the Congress, officially joined the BJP, expressing admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

BJP leaders lauded Modi’s commitment to the nation, contrasting it with what they described as the self-serving agendas of other parties. BJP parliamentary board member K Laxman emphasized Modi’s dedication to the country, contrasting it with the alleged dynastic and corrupt practices of other political entities.

Tarun Chugh, BJP’s general secretary, highlighted the public’s dissatisfaction with the “dynastic and corrupt ” party. Chugh also took a swipe at the BRS leadership, dubbing it the “triple B party saying it’s just Baba, Beta and Baby” and accusing them of running a corrupt government in the state. Earlier BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao announced candidates for four Lok Sabha seats, while Congress requested Rahul Gandhi to contest from Khammam, signaling a competitive electoral landscape in Telangana.

The BRS, once a dominant force in state politics, now faces challenges in fielding candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. With a dwindling pool of willing candidates and defections to rival parties, the party is grappling with an existential battle to maintain its political relevance. Despite these hurdles, the BJP’s successful recruitment of prominent leaders underscores its growing influence in Telangana and sets the stage for a fiercely contested electoral showdown in the region.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in Telangana promise to be a riveting spectacle, with each party vying for supremacy and the opportunity to shape the state’s future trajectory.