Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Rahul’s translator, senior T’gana leader Reddy to quit Congress and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
In a significant political development in Telangana, senior Congress leader T. Jeevan Reddy is on the verge of ending his more than four-decade-long association with the party, marking the first major setback for the Congress since it came to power in the state in 2023. Sources indicate that Reddy is likely to join the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with a formal announcement expected in the coming days.
The six-time former MLA from Jagtial has reportedly been feeling “suffocated” within the party, particularly after the induction of M Sanjay Kumar into the Congress.
Kumar, who had defeated Reddy in the 2023 Assembly elections as a BRS candidate, joined the Congress in June 2024 in the presence of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy — a move that allegedly took place without consulting Reddy. The situation further strained ties between Reddy and the party leadership, including senior leader Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier praised Reddy for translating his speeches in Telangana.
Tensions escalated following the murder of Reddy’s close associate, Maru Ganga Reddy, in October 2024. The killing, allegedly carried out by a supporter of Sanjay Kumar, intensified factional rifts within the party.
Reddy publicly protested, accusing the Congress leadership of neglecting loyal workers while favouring defectors. In a strongly worded communication to the party high command, Reddy linked the incident to the growing internal discord and criticised the leadership’s strategy of encouraging defections from rival parties. He contrasted decades of loyalty shown by his supporters with the relatively recent entry of leaders like Kumar.
Further grievances emerged during the Jagtial municipal elections, where Reddy’s supporters were reportedly denied party tickets, while those aligned with Kumar were given preference. The municipal chairperson post also went to a Kumar loyalist, deepening the divide. Reddy, who was also overlooked for a Rajya Sabha nomination, has since accused Kumar of interfering in internal party matters, including candidate selection.
Interacting with the media on Tuesday, he openly questioned Kumar’s political allegiance and authority within the Congress.
“I have already made a decision. I will announce it within three days,” Reddy said, indicating that he would respect the wishes of his supporters, many of whom have urged him to quit the party. Calling the decision “painful,” he added that he would continue to serve the people regardless of political affiliation.
Visible signs of distancing have already emerged in Jagtial, where his supporters removed Congress flags and banners from his residence, replacing them with posters bearing only his image and festival greetings, without any reference to the party.
Meanwhile, speculation is mounting that Reddy will formally join the BRS on March 25 at a public meeting in Jagtial, reportedly in the presence of party working president K. T. Rama Rao. The development comes at a crucial time for the Congress government in Telangana, which has successfully attracted several BRS legislators since assuming power. However, the unfolding crisis in Jagtial has exposed internal tensions over the party’s defection strategy, with long-time loyalists expressing discontent.