BJP Leader Jithender Reddy Meets CM Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today met former MP and BJP leader A P Jithender Reddy at the latter's residence.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and MLC Patnam Mahender Reddy accompanied the Chief Minister.

With the BJP leadership denying the ticket to Jithender Reddy for the Mahabubnagar Lok Sabha seat, the meeting with the Chief Minister assumes significance, and has also triggered speculations in political circles.

Jithender Reddy is keen to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Mahabubnagar, and has been trying hard for the party ticket for a long time.

However, the BJP on Wednesday announced its second list of candidates, and named veteran politician D K Aruna for the Mahbubnagar constituency. The BJP's decision left Jitender Reddy completely disappointed.

Speaking to the media, Jithender Reddy said that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy coming to his house was nothing new, and that the latter merely came to his elder brother's house.

"We belong to the same district. The Chief Minister came to console me that I didn't get a ticket. I am still in the BJP, but my political future is in the hands of the party," he said.

Responding to questions on joining the Congress, the BJP leader said that all tickets for the Lok Sabha elections had been allotted in the Congress, and that there were no vacant seats.

"While Vamshi Chand Reddy is contesting from Mahbubnagar, Patnam Mahender Reddy's family is contesting from Chevella. Moreover, the Chief Minister has not invited me into the Congress. At the same time, I didn't say anything, either. Revanth Reddy came to my house only to console me," Jithender Reddy said.

However, it is being said that Revanth Reddy is planning to give Jithender Reddy the Malkajgiri constituency ticket. Sources said that Jithender Reddy has been offered the ticket if he joins the Congress, with the CM believing that Jithender Reddy, a two-time MP with strong connections in New Delhi, would surely win if he was fielded by the Congress.