Jupally, Ponguleti lead pack of inconsequential politicos into Congress

HYDERABAD: While Jupally Krishna Rao and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy who are now trying to test their political fortunes after being rendered non-entities since the previous elections, a few others too flocked to them in joining the grand-old party.

The Congress pompously released a list of 35 ‘followers’ of whom seven had a hoary past and a sorry present.

The party released a list of so-called leaders who attended a meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikharjun Kharge on Monday in Delhi. Gurunath Reddy represented Kodangal in 1978, 83, 89, 99 and 2004. However, the veteran lost to Revanth Reddy in 2009 and 2014. He contested the 2014 polls on behalf of the TRS. He was denied ticket in 2018 but nominated to the Legislative Council. Now, the old hat wants to play second fiddle to Revanth Reddy.

Bhadradri Kothagudem Zilla Parishad Chairman Koram Kanakaiah was elected to the Assembly in 2014 on behalf of the Congress and eventually joined the TRS. However, in 2018, he contested as a TRS nominee but lost to Banothu Haripriya of the Congress. He was elected as ZP Chairman in 2019 but decided to go back to the Congress.

Payam Venkateswarlu was elected from Burgampahad Assembly constituency on behalf of the Congress in 2004. He joined the YSRCP in 2014 and later switched over to the TRS. He lost the election from Pinapaka Assembly seat.

Tellam Venkata Rao, a follower of Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, lost 2014 Lok Sabha poll as a YSRCP candidate from Mahabubabad and Bhadrachalam Assembly seat as a TRS nominee in 2018.

Pidamarthy Ravi, a student leader from Osmania University, stood at fourth position when he contested on behalf of the TRS from Sathupally Assembly seat in 2014. He was honoured with the chairmanship of Telangana State SC Development Corporation by the TRS Government. He again lost in 2018 as TRS nominee to TDP’s Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, who crossed over to the TRS.

Maddineni Baby Swarna Kumari emerged runnerup as TDP nominee in 1999 Lok Sabha polls from Khammam. She contested as TDP nominee and lost to Congress candidate Ramreddy Venkat Reddy in 2014 from Palair. Ever since, she has been in political hibernation.

Kotha Manohar Reddy contested on a TRS ticket and stood as second runner-up in Maheshwaram Assembly seat. Since then, he is not in the reckoning.