BJP State president Ramchander Rao and Rajya Sabha member Dr K Lakshman welcomed Balaraju by draping the party scarf over his shoulders.
Former BRS leader and former MLA of the Achampet constituency in Nagarkurnool district, Guvvala Balaraju, today joined the BJP.
At a function held at the BJP State office in Nampally, State party president Ramchander Rao and Rajya Sabha member Dr K Lakshman welcomed him by draping the party scarf over his shoulders.
BJP MLA Palvai Harish Babu, MLC Anji Reddy, State General Secretaries Gujjula Premender Reddy and Kasam Venkateswarlu, State Treasurer Shanti Kumar, State Spokesperson and Media In-charge N V Subhash, State Spokespersons Solanki Srinivas and Katta Sudhakar, State Executive Member Dilip Achari, District President Narender Rao and several others participated in the program.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramchander Rao said that Balaraju, a lawyer with a Ph D in law, had won from Achampet twice - in the 2014 and 2018 Assembly elections, on BRS tickets, but had shifted to the BJP as the party was emerging as an alternative to the ruling Congress in Telangana.
"Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good governance for the poor and weaker sections, Balaraju saw the future and joined the BJP for the development of the country. He has joined with the belief that he will strengthen the BJP not only in Achampet but across Telangana," Rao said.
Speaking about the party's growth, Rao said that the BJP's vote share in the 2023 Assembly elections was 13.9%, but rose to 36% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "Our party won eight MP seats. The BRS did not win a single seat, and its presence in the Lok Sabha is now zero. We also won two seats in the recently held MLC elections. The BJP is steadily growing in Telangana, and many people across the State are ready to join," he claimed.
He added that since assuming office as BJP Telangana president a month ago, he had travelled 3,500 km across 16 districts, meeting thousands of party workers and citizens, and saw a groundswell of support for the party. "Wherever I go, many former MPPs, MPTCs and sarpanches have joined the party. People are voluntarily joining the BJP in all districts, which is a testament to their trust in us," he said, and urged more people from all walks of life to join the party.
Commenting on civic issues, Rao said that people in Hyderabad were facing difficulties due to rains, with even light showers causing traffic chaos. He urged CM Revanth Reddy to focus on Hyderabad's development and the municipal administration department instead of making frequent Delhi visits.