Jeevan Reddy Leads Maize Rally in Jagtial Amid BRS-Join Talk
Jeevan Reddy Leads Maize Rally in Jagtial Amid BRS-Join Talk
Maize farmers rally in Jagtial as speculation grows that Jeevan Reddy may switch to BRS; locals press for immediate maize procurement centres ahead of Ugadi.
In Jagtial town, a significant maize farmers’ rally unfolded as former minister and Congress veteran T. Jeevan Reddy led protesters from his Indira Bhavan residence to the Collectorate on Monday, March 16, 2026. A delegation of maize farmers submitted a memorandum during the Prajavani programme, urging the district authorities to set up maize procurement centres and operationalise them ahead of the Ugadi festival. The show of support comes amid growing whispers that Reddy, who has spent over four decades with the Congress, may be preparing to quit the party and align with the BRS.
The rally underscored a widening rift within the local Congress cadre. Reddy’s followers have openly vented discontent over what they call undue preference for new entrants in the party, particularly in the recent Jagtial municipal elections where seats were allocated to the newer faction at the expense of long-time loyalists. Complicating the picture is the perception that the presence of M. Sanjay Kumar’s supporters on the dais at a public meeting addressed by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in Choppadandi last month irked Jeevan Reddy’s camp, fueling talk of a possible split.
Political observers describe the situation as a potential realignment moment in Telangana’s political landscape. While senior party functionaries reportedly tried to pacify him, Reddy has not publicly announced any move. His supporters’ actions—ripping down flexis bearing the Congress insignia at his residence—signal a fracturing of unity that could influence future electoral calculations in the district and beyond. The Maize Farmers’ memorandum asks for immediate measures to boost procurement infrastructure, a policy area that could become a focal point in upcoming political maneuverings.
If the whispers prove true and Reddy shifts to the BRS, analysts say the development could intensify competition for influence in northern Telangana, especially among veteran Congress cadres who fear being edged out by newer entrants. For now, farmers and local observers will wait for a formal statement, while the district presses ahead with procurement plans in time for the Ugadi season.
