Motkupalli set to join BJP

Hyderabad: Telangana BJP has intensified its 'Operation Akarsh' ahead of the visit of Union Home Minister and party president Amit Shah and working president J P Nadda to the state.

As part of this, Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy, along with state BJP president Dr K Laxman has met former minister in the TDP government Motkupalli Narasimhulu to invite him into the party fold.

After a two-hour deliberations, the former TDP leader responded positively and would be joining the party in the presence of the national leaders.

The party is also trying to rope in several former MPs, MLAs, MLCs and other top leaders from the TDP in the State much ahead of the elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

According to party sources, the BJP will contest all the132 ULBs and will try to make inroads and take on the TRS as part of its Mission 2023 in Telangana.

The saffron party feels that the TDP has lost its relevance in Telangana. Several of its leaders and voters, particularly among the BCs, had shifted to the ruling party.

The party feels that there are many former MLAs, MPs, MLCs and other leaders from village to district level who still have cadre behind them but had become inactive after joining the TRS.

The BJP is said to be in talks with such leaders and it is said that many of them are willing to join the BJP.

Joining the BJP, the party feels, will be a win-win situation for those who want to stage a comeback into active politics as well as the party.

The party has already done its calculations and has identified the polling booths where it is weak. Apart from Nizamabad and Karimnagar, the BJP vote share has gone up in several booths in 2,279 wards located in 129 municipalities. Now, the party leadership is focusing to enrol more members from these booths.

State party president Dr K Laxman said whoever wishes to join the party to contribute to the party's agenda would be welcomed.

"We are expecting to reach our target of 18 lakh new memberships by August 20. This will further strengthen the party in the ensuing municipal as well as Assembly elections in 2023," he said.