Telangana set for crucial bypoll: Komatireddy brothers at crossroads

HYDERABAD: Are the Komatireddy brothers - Raj Gopal Reddy and Bhuvanagiri MP Venkat Reddy - ready to become political adversaries? The two are known to be extremely close to each other and have always had each other's backs in tricky situations. With Raj Gopal announcing his intention to resign both from the Congress and assembly and likely to join BJP and Venkat Reddy likely to stay with the Congress, many are wondering if the elder brother will campaign against his younger sibling when the Munugode assembly by-election is announced.
Knowing how close the Komatireddy brothers are, the possibility of Venkat Reddy staying out of campaigning against his younger brother is also not ruled out. "Anything is possible in the Congress. In fact, a section of leaders are already demanding that Venkat Reddy be fielded against his younger brother in the bypoll," said a Congress leader.

Raj Gopal is yet to join BJP but he is most likely to enter the bypoll fray from the saffron party. In such a case, it will be a battle between the two brothers.

Revanth should apologise for rant against us: Bhuvanagiri Congress MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy
Bhuvanagiri Congress MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy slammed TPCC chief A Revanth Reddy for dragging him into the controversy over his younger brother, Munugode legislator Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy' resignation from the party and the MLA post.
He warned Revanth against provoking him unnecessarily and demanded an apology for making derogatory comments against Komatireddy brand image. "Ours is a joint family. We have been honest in politics and did business honestly too. Don't ask me why Raj Gopal quit Congress. You (Revanth) should ask him. It is wrong on your part to ask a staunch and loyal Congressman like me whether I will leave Congress and follow my younger brother into another party," Venkat Reddy said.
Speaking to newsmen in Delhi after participating in a dharna against the ED investigation into Sonia Gandhi, Venkat Reddy said he will always abide by the party high command's decision.
Asked if the Komatireddy brothers will be in one party or two different parties, he shot back: "Sonia Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi are in two different parties. There are several families, members of which are in different political parties."
Venkat Reddy refused to comment on the possible result of the bypoll in Munugode. He also refused to talk about Raj Gopal's decision to quit Congress and its impact in Nalgonda politics. He, however, demanded that Revanth withdraw the derogatory comments made against the Komatireddy brothers.
Revanth, responding to Raj Gopal's resignation announcement, said: "Though they boast of the Komatireddy brand in Telangana politics, they are not even fit enough to work in brandy (wine) shops."
Stating that he has given his sweat and blood for the party for the last 34 years, he said Revanth may have been in school when he was carrying the NSUI flag. "At least Raj Gopal has resigned from Congress. Did Revanth resign from his MLA post before joining Congress," he asked.