Former chief minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy is reportedly preparing to leave the Congress for the second time and join the BJP, according to sources close to him.
He has allegedly made arrangements to switch to the saffron party, having previously abandoned the Congress in 2014 over its support for the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He formed his own party, the Jai Samaikyandhra Party, but later rejoined Congress in 2018.
Kiran Kumar Reddy began his political career in the Congress as an MLA, rising to become the chief whip, speaker of the assembly, and finally the chief minister. However, he fell out with the party leadership and left the Congress in 2014, while other leaders remained with the party.
Sources suggest that Kiran Kumar Reddy had requested a national-level position in the Congress, which was denied, prompting his move to the BJP ahead of the 2024 elections.
While the BJP leadership has reportedly welcomed his decision, it is uncertain what position he will be offered in the party and what role he will play in the upcoming election if he joins.