For the past few days, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, the main opposition party in Telangana, has been accusing the Congress, particularly Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, of surrendering to the Telugu Desam Party led by N Chandrababu Naidu on the Polavaram-Banakacharla project issue.
In response, the Congress has shifted the blame back onto the BRS, claiming it was during K Chandrasekhar Rao’s tenure that the groundwork for the Banakacharla project was laid, with KCR offering full support to it.
Amid this exchange, senior Congress leader and PCC spokesperson Sama Rammohan Reddy made a sensational allegation, stating that BRS working president and former minister K T Rama Rao (KTR) held a secret meeting with TDP general secretary and Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh.
Rammohan alleged that KTR reached an understanding with Lokesh regarding the candidate selection for the upcoming by-election to the Jubilee Hills Assembly seat.
He questioned why KTR would meet Lokesh at a time when the Congress was actively opposing the Andhra Pradesh government over the Banakacharla project.
He demanded an explanation from KTR and added that he was willing to reveal more details if KTR publicly acknowledged the meeting. So far, there has been no response from KTR’s side regarding the allegations.
Amid reports that the TDP is planning to contest the by-election, speculation about the alleged meeting between KTR and Lokesh has intensified.
Local political dynamics suggest the TDP has a significant support base in the Jubilee Hills constituency.
Reports indicate that the TDP is evaluating the possibility of contesting the seat based on its voter base and community backing.
Sources claim that during his meeting with Lokesh, KTR proposed a new arrangement.
Maganti Gopinath had first won the Jubilee Hills seat as a TDP candidate in 2014. Following his recent passing, Lokesh paid his respects and consoled Gopinath’s family.
Now, with the BRS offering the seat to Gopinath’s family once again, it is believed that KTR sought TDP’s cooperation to ensure an uncontested election in their favour.
Political analysts suggest that KTR’s move is aimed at securing an easy win for the BRS candidate while preventing a contest from the TDP.
For now, clarity is awaited on the TDP’s final decision regarding its participation in the Jubilee Hills by-election.
