Despite an exodus of its leaders in the recent times, the state Congress, on Monday got a shot in the arm with suspended Telugu Desam MLA S. Venugopala Chari’s intention to join the ruling party.
Mr Chari represents the Mudhole Assembly constituency in Adilabad district and his plans have come as a big surprise to Congress leaders.
The MLA was suspended by TD president N. Chandrababu on July 21 for anti-party activities, including defying party diktat to abstain in the Presidential election.
Dr Chari met Congress MLC Ranga Reddy, a close confidant of Chief Mini-ster N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday. He, however, refused to admit that the meeting had anything to do with the speculation that he would be joining the Congress.
“I met Mr Ranga Reddy to discuss certain issues relating to my constituency. However, I would not mind joining the Congr-ess if it grants Telan-gana. I am confident Con-gress will grant Telang-ana,” Dr Chari said.
The MLA said that he would soon take a decision whether to join the Congress. It is learnt that he finds the Congress the best bet in Mudhole for a ticket since Narayana Rao Patel, the local stron-gman, is reportedly moving towards the YSRC.
Mr Reddy expressed his happiness over Dr Chari’s willingness to join the Congress, saying “His services would be utilised appropriately.”