Another BRS MLA Joins Congress In Telangana Today

In Telangana, the trend of BRS MLAs switching allegiance to the Congress party continues, with Arekapudi Gandhi becoming the latest to join. He represents the Serilingampally constituency in Greater Hyderabad and formally joined Congress in the presence of CM Revanth Reddy at his residence on Saturday.

Gandhi’s move marks the ninth defection from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to Congress since the latter assumed power in December 2023. Alongside Gandhi, four corporators from BRS also shifted to Congress during the event, which was attended by MLC P. Mahender Reddy and other party leaders.

Gandhi, originally elected on a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ticket in 2014 and later joining TRS (now BRS), retained his seat in 2018 and 2023. His decision to join Congress follows closely after T. Prakash Goud, a four-time MLA from Rajendranagar constituency, made a similar move on Friday.

Goud, who was elected on a TDP ticket in 2009 and re-elected in 2014 before joining TRS, joined Congress amid speculation about a potential return to the TDP following discussions with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during his recent visit to Hyderabad.

With these developments, BRS’s strength in the 119-member Assembly has been reduced to 29 seats, down from the 39 seats it initially secured. Meanwhile, Congress’s Assembly tally has increased to 74 seats, bolstered by several defections, including six MLCs and other senior leaders from BRS over the past seven months.