'Never Imagined That I Would Leave': Former Andhra CM Kiran Kumar Reddy Joins BJP, Slams Congress

Former Andhra Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has joined the BJP weeks after he quit the Congress

Former Andhra CM Kiran Kumar Reddy joined the BJP on Friday.

Source : Twitter: BJP

Kiran Kumar Reddy, the last Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, on Friday joined the BJP, weeks after he quit the Congress. He joined the saffron party in the presence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and hit out at the Congress leadership for its inability to accept people's verdict and make a course correction.

They believe they are correct and all others, including the people of India, are wrong, he said. He also said, "I never imagined that I would have to leave the party,"

They want authority to control but don't want to work hard or take any responsibility, said the four-time former MLA, who had quit the Congress last month.

Citing his family's over six-decade-long association with the Congress, Reddy said he never imagined he will leave the party.

The Congress is getting damaged in all states and its high command does not interact with others or take their opinion, he said.

Reddy contrasted the rise of the BJP with the decline of the Congress since 1984 and lauded the ruling party's leaders led by Modi for their hardwork and commitment towards the nation.

They have clarity of thought and consistency, and taking courageous decision is the hallmark of the government, he said.

Reddy also lauded Modi's commitment to fighting corruption.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "Many members of Kiran Kumar Reddy's family were in Congress. When I met him some time ago, he told me that he was influenced by PM Modi. Today he is taking a big leap and joining the BJP. He will strengthen our fight against corruption because his image as an MLA and minister has been very clean. It will be a big boost for BJP in Andhra Pradesh."

In a one-line letter of resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge last month, Reddy wrote: "Please accept this letter as my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress."

Kiran Kumar Reddy, who had opposed the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, quit the Congress in 2014 and formed the Samaikya Andhra Party. But could not win a single seat. Later, he again joined the Congress, but was not much active in the state's politics. 

Reddy could play an important role in the Telangana polls scheduled for December this year. According to Telugu Samayam, Reddy has good relations with many leaders of Telangana. His deep understanding of Telangana politics could prove to be a big weapon for the BJP which is going solo in the elections.

Earlier this month, Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay clarified that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will have no alliance with any party in the state. 

N Amarnath Reddy, Kiran Kumar Reddy's father, was an elected member of the legislative assembly (MLA) from the Vayalpadu constituency in Annamayya district for three consecutive terms. Similarly, Kiran Reddy also won three elections from the same constituency in 1989, 1999, and 2004.'

Later in 2009, he contested and won from the Pileru constituency. Kiran Reddy served as the Congress party's chief whip in the assembly from 2004 to 2009, following which he was elected as the assembly speaker during the tenure of YS Rajasekhar Reddy. After the demise of YS Rajasekhar Reddy, Kiran Reddy became the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, succeeding K Rosaiah.