Ex-TDP leader Adinarayana Reddy joins BJP in the presence of JP Nadda

In what can be seen as another setback for N Chandrababu Naidu- led Telugu Desam Party (TDP), party leader Adinarayana Reddy has quit TDP to join the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Monday, October 21. The former TDP leader joined the BJP in the presence of the party's working president JP Nadda and national General Secretary Arun Singh. After formally joining the BJP, Adinarayana hailed the party for its multiple decisions like abrogation of Article 370 and abolition of triple talaq law.

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'Very happy on joining the BJP'- Adinarayana Reddy

"I am very happy that I have joined the BJP. The party believes in one nation, one constitution and is committed to developing the country in all aspects especially in Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region. I praise them for taking steps like abrogating Article 370 and abolishing triple talaq," he said while interacting with a news agency. 

Reddy had quit the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in September. During his association with the TDP, he has been a three-time MLA and a former Minister in the previous Chandrababu Naidu-led government in Andhra Pradesh. The TDP was defeated in both the assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh this year. Ever Since the party's defeat, a lot of leaders from the Naidu-led TDP party have switched sides and joined the BJP.

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Chandrababu Naidu regrets leaving NDA

The former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu has reportedly, for the first time in a public rally admitted that his decision to scrap ties with NDA was wrong. He expressed regret over his decision to quit the BJP-led NDA government. Although TDP remains tight-lipped about Naidu's admission, sources say that on October 12 closed-door meeting, Naidu admitted his mistake. He also said, reportedly, that his decision to pull out of the Narendra Modi-led government in May 2018 dealt a big blow to his TDP in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections this year.

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(With inputs from ANI)