Ex-MLC and Telugu Desam Party district president Arkala Narsa Reddy who joined the Congress in the presence of AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi recently said that he had taken the decision to quit the TDP, in which he continued for 35 years, under some “special circumstances” in the State.
“I weighed the option among BJP, TRS and Congress. But rejected the first two as the BJP is a non-secular party and the TRS has forgotten the sacrifices of the martyrs for selfish politics. Moreover, it was Congress and its leader Sonia Gandhi who gave Telangana despite TRS leading the movement,” he said.
He was addressing a well-attended public meeting at the Congress Bhavan on his arrival for the first time after resigning from the TDP. Earlier, he was given a tumultuous welcome and brought in a motorbike and car rally from Indalwai toll plaza to the city. A large number of Congress workers and his followers participated in the rally.
Welcoming Narsa Reddy and his followers at the Congress Bhavan the DCC president Taher Bin Hamdan said that the party’s strength increased in the district with his joining. Congress would treat all those who joined the party as its family members and there would not be any discrimination, he said.
Experienced leader
Attending as the chief guest, former Minister P. Sudharshan Reddy said that he was happy at Narsa Reddy joining Congress as he was an experienced leader and held several positions during the Telugu Desam Party governments. Ignoring the promises made to the people in the elections the TRS leadership was working for its own family, he said.
MLC Akula Lalitha, TPCC general secretaries B. Maheshkumar Goud and G. Gangadhar, secretary N. Ratnakar, party city president K. Venu, leaders T. Arunatara, K. Balraj, B. Shekar Goud, K. Nagesh Reddy, M. Ganga Reddy and others also spoke.