Vijayshanthi meets Advani, fuels speculation about joining BJP

TRS MP and Telugu actress Vijayashanthi today met veteran BJP leader LK Advani in Pragnapur in her Lok Sabha constituency of Medak, amidst media reports that she might join the saffron party.

TRS MP and Telugu actress Vijayashanthi on Wednesday met veteran BJP leader LK Advani in Pragnapur in her Lok Sabha constituency of Medak, amidst media reports that she might join the saffron party.

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Vijayshanthi, who was in BJP earlier, stood beside Advani, who is on his countrywide Yatra, as he spoke from atop his Rath.

After concluding his speech, Advani said he welcomed her. He also said he knew her for long.

State BJP leader B Dattatreya, in his introductory remarks prior to Advani's speech, said Vijayashanthi's presence gave a "new look" to the Yatra.

Vijayashanthi's presence in Advani's yatra assumes political significance against the backdrop of media reports that the Medak MP would join BJP.

Vijayshanthi had earlier said she would meet Advani as BJP supports the separate Telangana cause.

Vijayashanthi, a Telugu actress of yesteryears, has been a strong supporter of Telangana statehood.

She began her political career with BJP and later floated her own outfit on the plank of Telangana before joining Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS).

In his speech Advani reiterated BJP’s support to the separate statehood demand and asked Congress to introduce a bill for formation of Telangana in the winter session of Parliament.