TRS leader and former Chairman of Legislative Council Swami Gaud has joined the BJP ahead of local bodies elections in Hyderabad.
The BJP leadership was trying, for sometime, to rope in the important TRS leader to spread saffron wings in the state.
Gaud has met key central leaders including BJP president J P Nadda.
Party leaders Bandi Sanjay and union minister G Kishan Reddy reportedly had earlier met Swamy and invited him into the party.
He was made MLC and chairman after formation of separate Telangana state. His tenure as MLC from Medak-Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Adilabad constituency ended last year.