Four TDP MPs join BJP
Four Rajya Sabha members of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
TDP parliamentarians Y.S. Chowdary, C.M. Ramesh, T.G. Venkatesh and G. Mohan Rao also met Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu and submitted their resignation from the TDP.
In their letter to Venkaiah Naidu, the TDP MPs wrote that they were “inspired and encouraged by the impeccable leadership of Narendra Modi” and were hence merging with the BJP.
Addressing a press conference BJP Rajya Sabha MP Bhupender Yadav said: “Four TDP Rajya Sabha members held a meeting earlier in the day where they decided to merge with the BJP.”
After the four MPS joined the BJP, party working president J.P. Nadda said the MPs were thinking for long to follow the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and for the development of Andhra Pradesh.
He said all four MPs are grassroots leaders and they would help in strengthening the BJP in the state.
MLA hurt as police foil attempt to install statue in Hyderabad
BJP’s lone legislator in Telangana Assembly, Raja Singh was injured in caning by police as attempt by a group to install a statue of freedom fighter Rani Avantibai triggered tension in Jumerat Bazar area of Hyderabad.
Since there was no permission by the authorities to install the statue, police tried to prevent this on Wednesday night. It evoked strong protest from people who had brought the statue past midnight.
Meanwhile, MLA Raja Singh reached the spot and there was an argument between the legislator and the police officers. Some protestors pelted stones on the police, forcing the latter to use the force to disperse them.
Raja Singh sustained head injury and was taken to Osmania General Hospital for treatment.
The BJP leader criticized the police for not allowing installation of the statue of a freedom fighter. He said he would take up the issue with Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy.
BJP targetting TDP Rajya Sabha MPs?
The political circles are agog with rumours that 4 TDP Rajya Sabha MPs are likely to join the BJP sooner than later. This is the immediate requirement of the BJP which has no sufficient numbers in the Upper House to get important bills passed. As of now, the BJP has only 71 while the NDA has 102 strength which is not enough in the 245-strong Rajya Sabha.
Chandrababu Naidu’s close confidants Sujana Chowdary and CM Ramesh are expected to switch over to the BJP considering the present political conditions in AP. Both these leaders were under threat of CBI and IT raids from the BJP government at the Centre. Moreover, there’s increasing uncertainty and insecurity among most TDP leaders over the aggressive attitude of YCP. Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani issue has also highlighted the concerns in TDP. Several ex MPs and ex-Ministers are also looking towards the BJP.
‘One nation, one election’ a diversionary tactics: Congress
The Congress on Wednesday slammed the BJP over simultaneous polls, saying it was a “diversionary tactics” to divert people’s attention from real issues and accused the ruling party of remaining inconsistent on the issue.
The Congress also said that party President Rahul Gandhi has written to the government over the party’s inability to participate in the meeting of presidents of all parties in Parliament.
Congress leader and MP Gaurav Gogoi told reporters at a press conference here that “when we talk of ‘one nation, one election,’ then we also want improvements in the election process.”
He said the Congress has raised questions over the election process as voting for two Rajya Sabha seats is being done on different dates.
He was referring to separate dates for elections to the two Rajya Sabha seats in Gujarat. The two seats were vacated in the state after BJP President Amit Shah and Smriti Irani were elected as MPs.
Congress has approached the Supreme Court over the issue.
“We have raised the issue of electronic voting machines and ballot papers. We have raised issues of how money and state machinery were misused during the elections,” Gogoi said.
“But the Prime Minister ignores them,” he said.
“It is a way to distract people from real issues,” Gogoi said, adding that ‘one nation, one election’ is a constitutional process and if the government wants, then they can hold debate in Parliament over the issue.
Hitting out at the central government, the Congress leader said, “It is the same government which did not hold assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat together. It is the same government which opted for seven-phase Lok Sabha elections to suit their needs.”
Slamming the BJP, he said, when it suits them, they opt for multi-phase elections, when they feel something new should be done, then they talk about ‘one nation, one election’.
“They have not shown consistency in their functioning,” he said, adding, “they delay the model code of conduct to make some announcements.”
“Are they really serious about ‘one nation, one election'”? he questioned.
Beside Congress, many other opposition parties are not attending the meeting called by the Prime Minister over simultaneous polls.
TRS to continue issue-based support to NDA
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) will extend issue-based support to the BJP-led NDA government as it did during the latter’s previous term, party President and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao said on Tuesday.
Stating that the state neither had a confrontation with the Centre nor it wants one, the TRS chief said it would maintain constitutional relations.
He told here that the whole world knows that the TRS is not part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
“I promoted Federal Front and I still stick to it. Yes. What is wrong in it?” asked Rao during his first interaction with media after Lok Sabha polls.
“People have given (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi the opportunity. He will do what he has to do. We are in power here and we will do what we have to do,” said KCR, as the TRS chief is popularly known.
The Chief Minister found fault with the opposition parties and a section of media for what he called “silly stories” and “imagination” over his non-participation in NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi last Saturday.
“We are a state government and we are here with required political stability. We are breaking records. We won Assembly elections with three-fourth majority, got majority of seats in Lok Sabha. We swept local body elections. This is not to the liking of many people,” he said in an obvious reference to the criticism by state BJP leaders that KCR skipped the meet as he was yet to get over the shock of defeat.
KCR said he will also not attend meeting of leaders of all parties called by the Centre on Wednesday as he was busy with the arrangements for inauguration of Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project on June 21 for which he had invited his counterparts from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
TRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao, who is son of KCR, will be attending the meeting.
“Do we have to invite him for everything,” quipped KCR when a reporter asked why he did not invite Modi for inauguration for Kaleshwaram project. “I am doing it. Are you not happy. I am the achiever.”
KCR also did not agree when a reporter pointed out that he had good relations with Modi for five years.
“You are wrong. First year was bitter. When he snatched our mandals and power project, I said the Prime Minister is fascist,” he said.
Admitting that the TRS later supported NDA on issues like election of President and Vice-President, the TRS leader said the party would extend similar issue-based support.
KCR also claimed that the Centre did not extend the help of an extra rupee during last five years. “NITI Aayog asked the Centre to provide Rs 24,000 crore for Mission Kakatiya and Mission Bhagiratha. They did not even give Rs 24,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Centre did not provide any help for construction of Kaleshwaram project.
“We will request if they give we will accept and if not, we will move ahead,” he said when asked if he will again approach the Centre for funds for various projects.
Secret behind Jagan’s moral values?
CM Jaganmohan Reddy has been taking a superior moral high ground after a landslide victory. He is saying that like other parties, he will not encourage defections. Interested MLAs and MPs can join YCP only after they resign from their legislative posts. Why is Jagan talking like a saint all of a sudden and not showing interest to win over TDP MLAs?
The secret behind Jagan’s new strategies is stated to be the fear of losing good relations with the BJP. Analysts say that YCP President is heavily dependent on the mercy of PM Modi both to overcome his CBI assets cases and also to seek Central support for the cash-strapped AP Government. Already, the BJP is expecting large-scale migration from the TDP in the state. This is why Jagan has withdrawn move to split the TDP.
MoS Kishan Reddy receives threat calls
Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy has received threatening phone calls from unknown persons, the Hyderabad Police said on Friday
Kishan Reddy, who received voice Internet calls on May 20, lodged a complaint with Cyber Crime police, which registered a case and launched the investigations.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader provided to police the number from which the calls were made, threatening to kill him.
Kishan Reddy, who was elected from Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency, was inducted in Modi cabinet on May 30. He had received threatening calls in the past also.
Meanwhile, police also registered a case against unknown persons making objectionable posts against Telangana Labour Minister Malla Reddy on the social media. The minister lodged a complaint that some unknown persons were making objectionable posts about him on Facebook and other social media platforms.
The police said they identified the IP addresses of those who were trolling him and making objectionable posts. A police officer said they were trying to trace the accused for further action.
BJP big plans in AP: Top leaders of the state to join BJP?
Even though BJP has been performing so good in the Hindi belt states, southern states have been tough nuts to crack for them. Except for Karnataka , they don’t have much presence in South India. It seems now BJP bigwigs are targeting Southern states of India and they have bigger plans for Andhra Pradesh.
Big leaders of Andhra Pradesh to join BJP:
BJP seems to have specific plans for Andhra Pradesh. As per the reports coming, JC brothers, Palle Raghunath Reddy and Paritala family seems to be in touch with BJP party already. Most probably, JC brothers will be the first ones in Andhra Pradesh to start this chain. Later, Varada Suri, Palle Raghunath Reddy may follow them. Paritala family who has been loyal to TDP since the beginning also seems to be in touch with BJP. BJP seems to be targetting many more bigwigs of the state to join in their party.
BJP plans for Telangana and Tamil Nadu:
It is known news that recently BJP strategist Ram Madhav gave a statement that they will come into power in Telangana by 2023. TRS wiping away Congress party in the state also seems to be benefiting BJP as most of the leaders who cannot join TRS are looking towards BJP. In Tamil Nadu also, people are thinking that BJP is controlling the political affairs of the state through Palanisamy and Panneerselvam, who have become puppets in the hands of Modi. It is also rumoured that enough coming assembly elections of Tamilnadu, BJP may join hands with Rajinikanth, and AIADMK to form an alliance.
BJP plans for Andhra Pradesh:
In Andhra Pradesh also, they started to expand their base in AP in 2014 itself but then chief minister Chandrababu Naidu predicted the outcomes of their plans and stopped BJP from expanding in the state. Probably this was one of the main reasons for BJP to go completely against Chandrababu Naidu later. As TDP party bit the dust in the 2019 elections and Jagan, not in a position to confront BJP because of his cases, BJP wants to take advantage of this situation and planning to implement its strategy to expand in AP.
We will have to wait and see how successful will be BJP in its plans to strengthen in AP.
Ex ministers, ex MLAs wanting to join BJP?
The Bharatiya Janata Party has begun a special exercise to welcome leaders from other parties in AP. BJP state president Kanna Laxminarayana said that there is huge response from leaders at different levels from TDP, Congress and YCP. Even ex-ministers and ex-MLAs are wanting to join BJP. But Kanna refused to give names of these leaders.
Very soon, four general secretaries of the BJP will tour all over AP. They will straightaway welcome sarpanches to ZPTCs level into the party fold. The leaders at the district and state levels will be joined after discussing with the party national leadership.
Kanna has created a sensation by writing seven open letters to CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Amaravati capital city, sand mafia, temple lands, dalit issues, etc. He said their party fought for these issues during TDP rule also.
BJP will put a check to regional parties in Telangana: Ram Madhav
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Ram Madhav on Monday said the BJP wave has begun in Telangana and it would put a check to the regional parties in the state.
He said by winning four Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, the BJP had emerged as a strong force in the state and exuded confidence that it would further strengthen in the days to come.
Ram Madhav Awas also confident the BJP would come to power in Telangana in future.
He was addressing a meeting organized by the party’s newly-elected MP from Nizamabad, Dharmapuri Arvind to thank the people for electing him.
The BJP General Secretary claimed that the BJP was setting record in governance across the country and that the Congress party had no future in any state.
He said the Lok Sabha elections proved that the country is safe in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In Nizamabad, BJP’s Arvind had defeated Telangana Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K. Chandrashekhar Rao’s daughter K. Kavitha.
Ram Madhav said Kavitha failed to ensure development in the constituency during last five years but Arvind will make it a reality. He assured the farmers that their problems would be solved soon.
BJP aims to win 2023 Telangana assembly poll?
Difficult times are ahead for TRS Supremo K Chandrasekhara Rao. BJP has declared its intentions to win election and form the government in Telangana in 2023. BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav made this clear to the party cadres. He took part in the party celebrations over the victory of Nizamabad MP seat which came in a very unexpected way. Here, BJP defeated KCR’s daughter Kavitha which dealt a blow to the TRS calculations.
Analysts say that the BJP has already drawn the battle lines with TRS and the coming days will see a greater confrontation between the two parties. The Modi-Shah duo are very serious to make the BJP stronger in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Though the party has sympathisers and vote banks, it has not grown to the expected levels.
There are indications that the BJP has already started making serious efforts to win over vote banks in Telugu states. In AP, many second rung leaders from TDP and Jana Sena have already contacted BJP. In the next few months, some big leaders are also expected to join. Some leaders want to take shelter in BJP which alone will save them to face likely harassment from ruling YCP.
Modi grooming Shah for 2024 PM seat?
PM Modi has brought in a new trend in BJP politics. Senior leaders crossing 75 years are being given forcible retirement. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and such leaders have already come into this category. Modi may be applying the same principle to himself. He will be crossing 73 years by 2024 general election. So, Modi is preparing to hand over the leadership to his trusted lieutenant who is Amit Shah.
It’s towards this objective only that Amit Shah is made No. 2 in the present government. He is chosen as Home Minister, the most powerful seat second only to PM. Shah has been working closely with Modi for over 40 years now. He is 10 years younger to Modi. This is why rumours are spreading within the BJP that Amit Shah will be groomed take over the mantle in 2024. The BJP is very confident that its victory is certain in 2024 also going by the division in opposition and emerging political trends in the country.
BJP, Congress claim they alone can take on TRS in Telangana
Buoyed by their impressive gains in the Lok Sabha polls in Telangana, both the BJP and Congress claimed on Friday that they alone can take on the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and emerge as its alternative.
A day after making surprising gains by winning four seats, the BJP celebrated its victory while Congress cadres rejoiced in three constituencies.
In 2014 election, the BJP and Congress had bagged one and two seats, respectively, and this time their prospects looked bleak with the TRS, fresh from its resounding victory in the Assembly election six months ago, aimed for a clean sweep.
TRS’s tally, however, came down from 11 to nine while its ally All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) retained its lone seat.
At the celebrations at the BJP office on Friday, party General Secretary Muralidhar Rao said BJP alone was capable of countering anti-democratic policies of TRS. He said the party alone could fight TRS’ fascist policies and family politics.
He said his party’s victory in four constituencies had given new hope to the party workers. Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya termed this as a great victory and said it had made BJP a second major political force in the state.
However, state Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Congress alone can be an alternative to TRS. He claimed that only Congress has the strength to oust TRS from power.
Reddy, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Nalgonda constituency, said though BJP was not strong enough in the state, it luckily won four seats. He pointed out that BJP had forfeited its deposit in 100 out of 119 Assembly seats in the election held in December.
BJP had won just one Assembly seat while the Congress had emerged as the second largest party with Assembly 19 seats.
Referring to the defection of 11 Congress MLAs to TRS during the last couple of months, Reddy said the poll results proved that the resignations and defections would have no impact on the party.
Congress leader Revanth Reddy, who was elected from Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat, said Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao was treating Telangana as his fiefdom and hence the people taught him and his party a lesson.
Revanth Reddy, a bitter critic of the TRS chief, said the people gave this mandate due to the arrogance of Chandrashekhar Rao and his son K. T. Rama Rao.
BJP’s rise sounds alarm for TRS in Telangana
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bagged four of the 17 seats in Telangana, an alarm has been sounded to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which emerged as the largest party in the state with nine seats.
While vote share of both the BJP and TRS increased from the 2014 general elections, the latter’s seat count declined by two.
The TRS’s share in total votes polled is 41.3 per cent as against 34.9 per cent in 2014. On the other hand, the BJP almost doubled its base in the state as its vote share increased to 19.5 per cent from 10.5 per cent.
Congress’ performance was slightly better this time as its vote share increased from 24.7 per cent in 2014 to 29.5 per cent in 2019. It has bagged three seats – an increase of one seat from the last time.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Asaduddin Owaisi, won one seat with a vote share of 2.8 per cent.
BJP makes inroads in Telangana, wrests 3 seats from TRS
Making inroads in Telangana, the BJP wrested three seats from the TRS and retained one seat while the Congress also wrested two seats from the ruling party and retained one.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which was hoping for a clean sweep, could win only nine out of 17 seats while its ally All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) retained Hyderabad.
In 2014, the TRS had bagged 11 seats while three MPs from other parties had later switched loyalties to the ruling party.
The BJP improved its tally from one to four while the Congress increased its numbers from two to three.
TRS President and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao’s daughter K. Kavitha suffered a shocking defeat in Nizamabad at the hands of the BJP’s D. Arvind.
The BJP also wrested the Adilabad and Karimnagar seats from the TRS. In Karimnagar, TRS senior leader Vinod Kumar lost to the BJP’s Bandi Sanjay Kumar by 89,508 votes.
The Congress wrested Bhongir from the TRS as its senior leader K. Venkat Reddy defeated sitting MP B. Narsaiah Goud.
In Chevella, the Congress party’s Konda Vishweshwar Reddy lost to G. Ranjith Reddy of the TRS. Vishweshwar Reddy, a leading businessman and one of the richest MPs in the previous Lok Sabha, was elected from this constituency in 2014 on a TRS ticket but had crossed over to the Congress recently.
In Khammam, the Congress party’s senior leader and former Union Minister Renuka Chowdary was defeated by Nama Nageswar Rao of the TRS. In the previous election, the YSRCP’s P. Srinivasa Reddy was elected from here and he later joined the TRS.
In Malkajgiri, India’s largest Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress party’s A. Revanth Reddy defeated M. Rajasekhar Reddy of the TRS. This seat was won by the TDP’s Malla Reddy in 2014 but he later switched over to the TRS.
The TRS retained the Medak, Mahabubnagar, Mahabubabad, Peddapalle, Warangal and Zahirabad seats and wrested Nagarkurnool from the Congress.
The Congress’ Uttam Kumar Reddy was elected from Nalgonda, defeating his nearest rival V. Narasimha Reddy by 25,682 votes. In 2014, the Congress party’s G. Sukhender Reddy was elected from here but he later joined the TRS.
The BJP retained Secunderabad, where its leader G. Kishan Reddy defeated TRS candidate T. Sai Kiran Yadav.
