Andhra Pradesh: Ex-CM Kiran Kumar Reddy joins BJP, slams Congress

He submitted his resignation to Kharge last month

Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Kumar Reddy joins BJP Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy joins Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of party MP Arun Singh (right), at BJP HQ in New Delhi | PTI

In another setback for Congress, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy joined BJP on Friday ahead of the assembly elections in the state next year.

Reddy had sent his resignation to the party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in March. “Please accept this letter as my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National congress,” he wrote in his one-line resignation letter.

He hit out at Congress leadership for its inability to accept people's verdict.


While addressing a press conference in Delhi, the four-time MLA said that he had to leave Congress, and blamed his move on “wrong decisions” by the party leadership.

"What has happened is, state after state, due to bad decisions of Congress high command, the party is getting damaged in all states. They don't interact with people. They don't take the opinion of the leaders. It is not the story of one state. It is a story throughout the country,” Reddy was quoted by Hindustan Times.

"There is an old saying-my king is very intelligent, he doesn't think on his own, and he doesn't listen to anyone's advice,” he added during the conference.

Reddy lauded the ruling party's leaders led by Modi for their hardwork and commitment towards the nation. They have clarity of thought, consistency and taking courageous decision is the hallmark of the government, he said.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi while addressing the media said that "He told me that he was influenced by PM Modi...He is taking a big leap and joining the BJP. He will strengthen our fight against corruption because his image as an MLA and minister has been clean. It will be a big boost for BJP in Andhra Pradesh," Reportedly he is likely to boost the BJP's presence in his strong-hold Rayalaseema.

Earlier in 2014 too Reddy had resigned from the Congress party over the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

He was the last CM of the undivided Andhra Pradesh.

He had formed his own party 'Jai Samaikyandhra' and even fielded candidates in some constituencies in the 2014 elections. But, however, it had no electoral gains.

Later he rejoined Congress in 2018.

The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh led many Congress leaders to quit the party and since then they were not able to win an assembly seat in AP.

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