Defections are growing in Telangana with reports of at least multiple MLAs from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in talks with Congress. Coming close on the heels of a verdict from the High Court of Telangana, which clarified that the Speaker was not mandatorily fixed to disqualify the defecting MLAs within any time frame. It was at liberty to do so as it deems fit. Thus, according to the court’s recommendation to the Speaker to act within a reasonable timeframe, more defections would be allowed to happen.
TPCC (Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee) president Mahesh Kumar Goud has indicated that several BRS legislators, particularly those close to KTR, the party’s working president, are in discussions with Congress and could join the party soon. Among these defectors, three BRS MLAs, including two from Greater Hyderabad, are said to be preparing to make the shift. This growing trend of defections has caused concern within the BRS, prompting Chief Minister KCR to hold discussions with these MLAs to prevent further losses.
Several prominent BRS MLAs have already made the switch to Congress, including Kadiyam Srihari (Station Ghanpur), Danam Nagender (Khairatabad), Tellam Venkataramu (Bhadrachalam), Prakash Goud (Rajendra Nagar), Arikepudi Gandhi (Serilingampally), Gudem Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), Sanjay (Jagityala), and Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal). As local body elections approach, Congress is looking to bolster its position by welcoming more defectors from BRS, aiming to strengthen its presence in the state.
Congress, in particular, is focusing on increasing its influence in Greater Hyderabad by targeting BRS MLAs from this key region. When BRS initially came to power, it strengthened its position in Greater Hyderabad by absorbing TDP MLAs, and now Congress is seeking to replicate this strategy. To facilitate a smooth transition, some of the defectors may be offered ministerial positions within the party.
However, some of the defecting MLAs face challenges, with one allegedly involved in the controversial sheep farming scheme, while another has ties to educational institutions. Despite these issues, defections from BRS to Congress are expected to continue, reshaping the political landscape in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.
This ongoing political shift highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of Telangana’s political scene, as both major parties navigate the changing allegiances of influential MLAs.