BJP Wooing Leaders Of Congress, TDP In Telangana?

Some senior leaders belonging to Congress, Telugu Desam Party and even the ruling TRS seem to be toying with the idea of jumping ship to sail with BJP in the 2019 elections.

According to informed sources, however, these leaders are prepared to put their political careers at stake to join the saffron party only if they are amply rewarded with lucrative posts.

Having established its supremacy in the North by riding the "Modi Wave", the BJP leadership seems to be anxious to spread its tentacles in the South. Thus the two Telugu states of Telangana and AP are now in the BJP radar.

BJP had an electoral alliance with the Telugu Desam Party during the 2014 elections in AP. So, as of now, the BJP seems to be concentrating on Telangana, and is accordingly planning its moves to attract senior and influential leaders, especially from Congress.

It is pertinent to note here that the Congress, which used to aggressively champion the cause of the people, has of late become rather subdued and silent. At the same time, the BJP has suddenly become more vocal and vociferous in taking head on the TRS government on various issues.

The laidback attitude of the Congress leaders can be attributed to the fact that they seem to have become disillusioned about the party's future. The BJP central leaders, who are keeping a close tab on these disgruntled Congress leaders on the look out for greener pastures, are diligently planning to woo them into their party fold. Former ministers, especially those who are feeling like fish out of water without power, seem to be the main target for the BJP leaders.

According to reliable sources, many senior Congress leaders, particularly the former ministers, are being contacted by BJP emissaries in this regard. The BJP leadership is understood to have offered ample financial backing for contesting the elections. It is also learnt that some of the Congress leaders and a few Telugu Desam Party leaders were offered tickets for Lok Sabha and also Assembly seats for their close associates.

While some of the leaders thus approached are unsure about their political future in the saffron party, others seem open if they are assured of important positions.

The BJP is also aware of some disgruntled leaders even in the TRS, and is waiting to trap them at an opportune time.

Against this background, the upcoming tour of BJP president Amit Shah to the state has assumed great political importance.