Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Aug 10: In a significant political shift, former Achampet MLA Guvvala Balaraju officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, days after resigning from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). The two-time legislator was inducted into the BJP at the party’s state headquarters by Telangana BJP president Ramchander Rao.

Balaraju, who represented the Scheduled Caste-reserved constituency of Achampet in 2014 and 2018, had parted ways with the BRS on August 2, expressing regret over leaving a party he had served for nearly two decades. However, he cited a need for political realignment and praised the BJP's rising trajectory both nationally and within Telangana.

Ramchander Rao welcomed Balaraju by highlighting the BJP’s growing influence in the state. “Balaraju’s decision reflects the BJP’s emergence as the only credible alternative in Telangana,” he stated. He also noted Balaraju’s background as a lawyer and his early public service, calling him a valuable addition to the party.

The BJP chief underscored the party’s electoral momentum, pointing out that its vote share rose from 13.09% in the 2023 Assembly elections to over 36% in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, with the party winning eight Lok Sabha seats while the BRS failed to secure even one. He also highlighted the BJP’s recent win in the MLC elections as further evidence of its growing base.

Balaraju was previously embroiled in the 2022 MLA poaching controversy, when the then BRS government accused the BJP of attempting to lure four of its MLAs with large sums of money ahead of the Munugode bypolls. BJP national general secretary B.L. Santosh was also named in the case, which stirred significant political tensions.

Despite this history, Balaraju’s entry into the BJP signals shifting loyalties within the state’s political landscape, as several leaders now appear to be aligning themselves with the saffron party.

Meanwhile, Ramchander Rao took the opportunity to criticize Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for frequent trips to Delhi. “He should be in Hyderabad, especially during the rains, to understand how people are suffering from waterlogging,” Rao said.

BJP MP K. Laxman, MLC Anji Reddy, and other senior leaders were also present at the induction ceremony.