Dissident Telangana Cong MLA calls party 'sinking ship', likely to join BJP

Slapped with a notice for critical remarks against party leadership, Congress MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy on Tuesday described the party as "a sinking ship" and indicated he would join the BJP in coming days.

The MLA told reporters here that he had already met senior BJP leaders, including its general secretary Ram Madhav, and held discussions.

"Changing party in the coming days is one hundred percent confirmed. I am holding discussions with people on how and when I should change the party so that it would be right legally and technically," he said.

His move comes close on the heels of two third of the 18 Congress MLAs merging with the ruling TRS, dealing a blow to the national party.

Reddy, who represents Munugode assembly constituency, had earlier this month blamed AICC incharge of party affairs in Telangana R C Khuntia and state Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy for the party's poor showing in the December 2018 assembly elections. He had then hinted at joining the BJP.

The Disciplinary Action Committee of the state Congress has issued a show-cause notice to him.

Reddy Tuesday claimed his decision to join the BJP was taken for the welfare of his constituency and Telangana as he believed that it is the only outfit that can take on the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi.

"Congress party is a sinking ship," he said and faulted party president Rahul Gandhi for not changing the state leadership at an appropriate time to save it.

According to him, the Congress' condition has become worse in Telangana to the extent it cannot improve even if the high command changes the state leadership now.

He said people of the country want a strong party like the BJP to lead the nation.

"I am getting invitation from BJP leaders like Kishan Reddy (Union Minister of State for Home). I also met Ram Madhav twice and discussed with him," he said.

Congress had won 19 of the 119 seats in the assembly polls. But it is now left with only six MLAs, including Rajagopal Reddy, after the cross over of 12 legislators to the TRS and resignation by Uttam Kumar Reddy on his election to Lok Sabha.