Rajagopal Reddy may resign in first week of August

HYDERABAD: Political parties, especially the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), has begun the exercise to brace for yet another by-election, this time in the form of Munugode. Despite its MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy remaining ambiguous on his future political plans, it is not being viewed with seriousness by leaders across the political spectrum of the state.

Rajagopal Reddy, during a press meet on Sunday, asserted that he was neither quitting the Congress party nor joining the BJP. But the political circles here have strong indications that the younger of the Komatireddy brothers would most certainly resign from the Congress in the first week of August.

The speculation gains credence, also based on reports emanating from the Congress high command in Delhi. The party, it is learnt, is likely to issue a show-cause notice to the Munugode MLA for a variety of reasons: He has recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, his outbursts against TPCC chief Revanth Reddy at Sunday's press meet and his terming the need for the shifting of political loyalties as a 'historical necessity'.

On the other hand, the ruling TRS appears to be in the forefront of quickly assessing the political developments surrounding Rajagopal Reddy saga and chalk out clear plans for both short and long term. According to sources, the pink party had already started strategizing to face the prospect of yet another by-election and a plan of action is being prepared at the Pragathi Bhavan for the last three days. The TRS is determined to wrest this seat from the Congress if the need for a by-election arises from the incumbent MLA's resignation.

Rajagopal Reddy however appears to be playing 'hide and seek', at least for now, over his true intentions. It is felt in political circles that he was not yet prepared to reveal his cards, for reasons best known to him. During his Sunday press meet, Reddy dismissed the reports of his joining the BJP and sought to clarify that he only had a courtesy meeting with Amit Shah and that he did not discuss politics.

His assertion that he would take a call on his way forward after consulting the people of Munugode fails to cut much ice with the local leaders and activists of the Congress party. They suspect that something was seriously cooking internally and their leader was simply reluctant to divulge it.

Will Rajagopal Reddy eventually end all the suspense over his political future in the first week of August and choose a new political path or will there be another twist to the tale? Well, only he can answer and hopefully so, in a few days.