BRS cannot be blackmailed, will not tolerate loose talk of Jupally, Ponguleti: Niranjan Reddy

HYDERABAD: Telangana Agriculture Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy on Monday rebutted the accusations of suspended leaders Jupally Krishna Rao and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and claimed that the two had acted as if they were above the party.

Addressing the media here, the Minister said that the BRS functions with the philosophy that the party is always bigger than individuals. The party will not be intimidated by the blackmail politics of both Jupally and Ponguleti, he asserted. He accused the two of acting in whimsical ways since they could not receive the positions they aspired for.

Stating that the two leaders did not hesitate to criticise even KCR, he said that the punitive action was taken against them after giving due consideration to all the factors. Describing KCR as goal-oriented, Niranjan Reddy recalled that the party supremo had rewarded even those who criticised him in the past, in the larger interests of the party.

Claiming that Jupally had joined the TRS only in 2012, the Agriculture Minister said that no one in the party would want to lose the leaders. He said that Krishna Rao had no ethics and reminded everyone as to how KCR made him a minister after he quit the Congress and joined the TRS.

“It is sad to see Jupally criticise the party after enjoying key positions. He is attacking KCR purely for his selfish gains. His accusations are absurd. Why did he join KCR's council of ministers if he really thought the aspirations of Telangana martyrs were not fulfilled? Everyone knows who has trapped Jupally and Ponguleti. They will be thoroughly exposed in the next elections. History shows that no one survived in politics after criticising KCR and leaving the party.

“Is it not true that Jupally vowed to resign from his ministership to press for the anointment of YS Jaganmohan Reddy as the chief minister of the undivided Andhra Pradesh? Even after becoming a minister in a separate Telangana state, Jupally continued to flaunt YSR’s portrait at his house. He foisted cases on those who installed Telangana Thalli statues in Kollapur and instead ensured that statues of YSR were put up. Both Krishna Rao and Srinivasa Reddy were speaking the language of those who migrated from Andhra and floated political outfits,” he commented.

Niranjan Reddy further claimed that the Telangana Government had spent a staggering Rs 4.5 lakh crores for the agriculture sector. He asked both Jupally and Ponguleti to explain if these many schemes were being implemented in the BJP-ruled states in the country.

“Jupally should also explain if the Telangana region received water during late YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s rule. We will not tolerate Jupally and Ponguleti if they speak like loose cannons. How is it a crime of KCR if Jupally loses election in Kollapur? Is this not an example of Krishna Rao stooping so low in politics? KCR took the decision to act against the two leaders only under compelling circumstances,” Niranjan Reddy commented.