As expected, industrialist-turned-former Lok Sabha member from Khammam, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, who was recently sacked from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, is all set to join the Telangana Congress party shortly.
But before taking the decision, Ponguleti sought the blessings of his ex-boss – YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The reason being, Ponguleti had got elected as an MP from Khammam on behalf of the YSR Congress party ticket but later defected to the BRS (previously, Telangana Rashtra Samithi).
On Saturday, Ponguleti came down to Tadepalli and had a 40-minute meeting with Jagan Mohan Reddy at the latter’s camp office.
He told the Chief Minister that he was contemplating joining the Congress party along with former minister Jupally Krishna Rao.
“I thought of joining a national party and keeping in view the conditions in Telangana state, and more particularly in Khammam district, I thought it is better to join the Congress party,” Ponguleti told Jagan.
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said he would appreciate Ponguleti's decision.
“Whichever party you join, you should be in the forefront of serving the people. My support will always be there with you,” Jagan told the ex-MP.
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee A Revanth Reddy is learned to have conveyed to the party high command that he had no objection to Ponguleti joining the party and in fact, it would strengthen the party in Khammam.
However, a section of Congress leaders, like former MP Renuka Chowdary, are resisting Ponguleti’s entry into the party, as it would spoil their chances.
Apparently, Ponguleti wants the party tickets for all his followers in all the assembly segments in Khammam, except of course Madhira. This is being opposed by Renuka Chowdary.
However, Revanth pacified them, saying the distribution of party tickets would be done at the discretion of the high command and not the PCC or any other individuals.