The failure of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to fill the political vacuum left by the Congress in Telangana is making some of the party senior leaders unhappy. There is growing feeling of suffocation particularly among senior leaders like Nagam Janardhan Reddy.

Though BJP state president G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday tried to explain that Nagam was not unhappy and that the party had not ignored him, party insiders say that things are not that smooth. Nagam was known to be a vociferous leader when he was in the Telugu Desam Party and could effectively take on the government as deputy floor leader in the undivided Andhra Pradesh.

But ever since he joined the BJP, Nagam seems to have lost his voice and freedom. The number of press conferences addressed by him has come down as the party lays certain restrictions on the members. No one can hold the briefings without giving prior information to the party leadership.

Talking to media, Nagam did admit that he was feeling suffocated in the party but said that the reason for his suffocation was more because it appears that leaders of all Opposition parties, without exception, are either scared of talking against KCR or are sold out.

Sources say that Nagam is even contemplating to organise a group or some forum through which he can launch an awareness campaign among the people on the failure of the TRS government. Nagam said the TRS government was running the government as per its whims and fancies. He said he would launch his campaign to expose the government from Wednesday by holding a press conference on the irregularities in the Water Grid scheme.

Political analysts say that this was the first step of Nagam to distance himself from the BJP. Though Nagam denied that he was contemplating to quit the BJP, speculations are rife that he may stage a home coming and re-join the TDP. At one point of time it was said that the T Congress was wooing him and Nagam may consider the offer as he may feel embarrassed to work with TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu particularly since the going is not smooth for the TDP in Telangana.

Leaders like D K Aruna would oppose Nagam’s entry sources said. As far as TDP is concerned, the party will welcome him with open arms. The party needs strong leaders in Telangana particularly in the wake of many crossing over to the TRS during the last nine months.

In fact, a senior TDP leader even quipped that he would not be surprised if Nagam returns to the yellow party and becomes a minister in future while flag bearers like him would continue to remain loyal workers. It is also being said that TDP wants to create a strong Reddy leadership in Telangana and Nagams entry would further help the party.