Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy quits Congress, Assembly

HYDERABAD: Ending months of speculation and suspense surrounding his political future, Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy on Tuesday resigned from the primary membership of the Congress party while also tendering resignation as Munugode MLA.

Though he remained elusive on his plans, his resignation came almost on expected lines as it was widely reported that he would be announcing his resignation on Tuesday (August 2). It is also being talked about that the younger of the Komatireddy brothers was left with no option but to resign following an ultimatum issued to him by the Congress high command.

It is learnt that the Congress leadership, already exasperated with his recent statements and overtures, has decided to act tough against him, seeing the Munugode legislator more as a good-riddance for the party. The Congress high command is reliably learnt to have issued a stern warning to Rajagopal Reddy to make his resignation public by August 2. It is reported to have conveyed to him in no uncertain terms that if he failed to do so, the party would crack the whip and suspend him.

While Rajagopal Reddy had been keeping the media and the political circles in Telangana guessing for quite some time, his recent meeting with BJP top leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi seems to have firmly sealed his fate.

Rajagopal Reddy also had no qualms in acknowledging it in public a few days ago. His outbursts against the TPCC chief Revanth Reddy also seems to have quickened things leading to his exit from the party.

'Congress is weak now'

Announcing his resignation, Rajagopal Reddy said that his decision was influenced by the fact that the Congress party had become very weak. He did not want to drag his decision on resignation for too long, he added.

Speaking on his future course of action, he said that he would consult the people of his Munugode constituency and go as per their wishes and directions. The senior leader lamented that his constituency did not see any kind of development over the last three years and added that only a by-election would correct this trend.

Refuting the accusations that he is a 'sellout' in politics, he asserted that the Komatireddy brothers never stooped down to such levels in life. He also claimed that he and his brother were extended invitation to join the TRS several times but they did not succumb to it.

Likely to join BJP

Even though Rajagopal Reddy has been keeping his cards close to his chest, it is widely believed that his joining the BJP is just a formality now. There were reports in the media which claimed that a mining firm having association with Rajagopal Reddy's family was awarded a lucrative coal mine contract by the Union government in the recent past.

It was speculated that the awarding of the mine lease was part of a deal that he struck in Delhi and in exchange, the younger of the Komatireddy brother would switch his loyalties to the BJP. But, as was anticipated, he denied all such allegations.