Telangana: BRS MLA Sanjay Kumar's Induction Triggers Row Within Congress, BRS Slams Ruling Party Too

On Monday, Jeevan Reddy reportedly communicated his disappointment over the lack of consultation with him before Sanjay Kumar's induction.

On Sunday, Sanjay Kumar officially switched his allegiance to the Congress.

BRS Jagtial MLA M. Sanjay Kumar's decision to join the Congress has caused a significant upheaval in the ruling party, particularly angering senior BRS leader and MLC T. Jeevan Reddy. Jeevan Reddy, who formerly represented Jagtial, expressed his frustration with the party leadership for not consulting him before welcoming his political rival into the Congress fold.

On Sunday, Sanjay Kumar officially switched his allegiance to the Congress, sparking rumours that Jeevan Reddy might leave the Congress to join the BJP. In an attempt to prevent this, IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu visited Jeevan Reddy's residence in Jagtial on Monday evening, urging him not to make any rash decisions about departing from the party. Despite these efforts, Jeevan Reddy reportedly communicated his disappointment over the lack of consultation before Sanjay Kumar's induction.

BRS' Sanjay Kumar Joins Congress: KTR Slams Ruling Party

Opposition BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao also criticised the Congress for the defections. On Monday, Rama Rao emphasised that the strength of the people surpasses the power of those in authority, stating, "We have faced several defections of MLAs in the past in 2004-06 when Congress was in government. Telangana responded strongly by stepping up the people’s agitation & eventually Congress had to bow its head. History shall repeat itself," Rama Rao posted on 'X'.

Sanjay Kumar's defection marks the fifth BRS MLA to join the Congress, following the recent departure of senior BRS MLA and former Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy on June 21. Other notable defections include BRS MLAs Kadiam Srihari, Danam Nagender, and Tellam Venkat Rao. Speculations are rife that more BRS MLAs may join the Congress in the near future, indicating potential further instability for the BRS party, as reported by PTI.

Meanwhile, BRS workers staged a protest at Sanjay Kumar's residence over his decision.