Speculation rife over former MLA CK Babu joining BJP

Chittoor: In a significant development, former Union Minister and BJP national leader D Purandeswari paid a visit to the house of former Chittoor MLA CK Jayachandra Reddy alias CK Babu in Chittoor on Tuesday.

The meeting has intensified speculations that CK Babu is going to join BJP soon. Speaking to the scribes, Purandeswari didn't say no to the question on whether he is joining BJP. She has left it open to anybody's guess saying that “anyway, you will make your own assessment on the issue”.

A three-time MLA-two times as Congress candidate and once as independent from Chittoor, CK Babu did not contest the election in 2014 but extended his support to YSRCP candidate Jangalapalli Srinivasulu. But, he lost the seat to TDP's D K Satyaprabha.

He even lost his hold on the municipal corporation as his wife CK Lavanya could not win as a Corporator. Though, he was claiming to be part of YSRCP, recently, the central leadership of that party has issued a statement that he was not a member of their outfit.

Since then, he was in political crossroads. At this juncture, the meeting of BJP leaders with CK Babu has attained significance. Though an immediate decision may not be expected, there are fair chances of his entry into the BJP well before next general elections. In this scenario, questions are being raised in political circles on how his future would be in BJP.

There is an alliance between BJP and TDP. Also, there is sitting TDP MLA representing Chittoor. Even if the alliance between the two parties continues in next elections, TDP may not agree to leave the seat to BJP. In that case, CK Babu cannot contest consecutively for the second term.
It is interesting to know what will he achieve by joining the BJP.

However, local BJP leadership seems to be not aware of these developments. When asked, they simply said, they don't know the future. They just accompanied national leader Purandeswari. It is too early to arrive at any conclusion.

TDP circles were also saying that they have nothing to comment on this. Purandeswari, however, made it clear that she visited Babu's house on his request only. “He asked me to pay a visit to his house as well as the Baba temple which he built in Chittoor. We had good relations in the past when we both were in Congress party,” she maintained.

By V Pradeep Kumar