Kiran is state Congress’s captain

 Botcha said to have made peace with the CM to let him continue as the state Congress boss, a very crucial post.

Published: 27th April 2013 08:14 AM  |   Last Updated: 27th April 2013 11:43 AM

By JR Prasad | ENS

Whether a slew of welfare schemes being unveiled by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy help the Congress in turning the electoral tide in its favour still remains a million dollar question. But Congress leaders in the State believe Kiran Reddy has emerged as an undisputed leader in the party with his pro-active role.

Party leaders say Kiran has been able to hit two birds with one stone with his latest whirlwind tours across the state.

According to some leaders, the Chief Minister has successfully exposed PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana’s ineffectiveness as the state party boss who is not taking up any constructive programme on his own to strengthen the party at grassroots level. By exposing this, Kiran Reddy has gained an upper hand over the PCC chief and made him surrender himself to him, party leaders say.

At the same time the Chief Minister is instilling confidence among party cadres in the run-up to 2014 polls by announcing a slew of welfare schemes during his whirlwind visits, leaders feel.

“The Chief Minister took a good initiative to revive the party’s electoral fortunes by undertaking whirlwind tours across the state to publicise the welfare schemes being implemented by the government. Kiran has established himself as an effective leader and seems to be successfully steering the party to hit a hat-trick in the 2014 polls,” said government whip T Jayaprakash Reddy.

Congress Party’s landslide victory in the cooperative polls and party high command’s pat on Kiran’s shoulder for the same are said to be encouraging him to sweat it out for the party’s revival in the run-up to the polls.

Leaders say that inclusion of names of some ministers in the charge-sheet in the Jagan’s assets case also helped the Chief Minister gain total control of the Cabinet as well as the party.

Botcha and backbiters give in:

With Kiran Reddy emerging as a strong leader, his backbiters in the party are gradually mending fences with him. For instance, Telangana votary and former minister R Damodar Reddy, who used to fire salvos at the Chief Minister over the Telangana issue, has recently showered praises on Kiran.

Same is the case with Health Minister DL Ravindra Reddy, a vociferous critic of the Chief Minister.

Ravindra Reddy, who reportedly extensively lobbied with the high command to replace Kiran Reddy with some other leader in the Chief Minister’s post, recently predicted, “Kiran will continue to be the chief minister of the state till 2014 polls”.

Interestingly, even the PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana, who has a running feud with Kiran Reddy, also mended fences with the Chief Minister following the latter’s whirlwind tours across the state.

The State Congress boss, who used to use every occasion to corner Kiran Reddy, is promptly following him during his tours.

Since Kiran is lobbying with the high command for replacement of Botcha with a Telangana leader as PCC chief, Botcha is said to have made peace with Kiran to let him continue as the state Congress boss, a very important post in an election year.

Kiran Reddy mulling early elections to Assembly?

 Published: 28th April 2013 07:51 AM  |   Last Updated: 28th April 2013 07:51 AM

By JR Prasad | ENS

By starting to play captain’s innings on the political arena, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has triggered a debate among Congress leaders on the possibility of early polls to the Assembly.

With Kiran Reddy increasing the pace of whirlwind tours across the state to publicise the welfare programmes of his government and announcing more populist schemes, some Congress leaders speculate that Kiran Reddy might opt for early polls.

They feel elections after the monsoon would be advantageous to the Congress.

“At present, there is a feel-good factor for the party in the state. Though the power crisis is creating difficulties, the slew of welfare schemes being announced by Kiran Reddy are offsetting it. If we go for early polls after monsoon, even the power issue would have been resolved by then,” a senior Congress leader said.

According to some leaders, if the Assembly elections are held as per schedule in May 2014, it would be difficult for the ruling party as opposition parties like YSRC, TDP and TRS might gain further ground by then.

“Now, Jagan is still in prison. Without Jagan’s campaign it would be difficult for YSRC to turn the tide in its favour. Similarly, the TDP too has not gained much even after Chandrababu Naidu’s marathon padayatra. The TRS is also not in the form. So, Kiran Reddy might be thinking that it would be good to face general elections soon,” a former minister felt.

Some leaders feel Kiran Reddy might be testing the waters for holding snap polls by interacting with people during his whirlwind tours.

Congress seniors wonder what has prompted Kiran Reddy to undertake extensive tours across the state suddenly, at a time when general elections are still one year away.

When Express contacted a senior minister from Coastal Andhra, he said, “Who knows what the chief minister is thinking? He never opens up his mind before us.”

No use either way?

Meanwhile, some of Kiran Reddy’s detractors in the Congress say the party’s winning chances are bleak irrespective of polls taking place as per schedule or ahead.

“The writing on the wall is clear. Though a charismatic leader like YSR led the party and with all the populist schemes, we won the 2009 polls with a narrow margin. Now we have no mass leader and Jagan factor and Telangana sentiment are posing grave threats in both the regions in the state. So, it is almost impossible for our party to hit a hat-trick in the next polls, whenever they take place,” said a veteran Congress leader.

Hence, he felt that Kiran Reddy might not take the risk of going for snap polls as it would only make him relinquish power even before his term ends.

 

Major parties gear up for poll battle with hands tied

 Published: 29th April 2013 10:03 AM  |   Last Updated: 29th April 2013 10:03 AM

By JR Prasad | ENS

Though general elections are still one year away, all the main political parties in the state have more or less sounded the poll bugle. The reason for the sudden increase of political activity in the state is said to be in expectation of early polls to the Lok Sabha as well as the Assembly as the political situation both at the Centre and in the state is volatile.

However, of the four principal political parties in the state--Congress, TDP, YSRC and TRS--no party has so far fully geared up itself for early polls. Each party is suffering from its own problems like infighting and organisational lapses.

Express tries to look into the problems being faced by each party:

Congress: A House Divided

Though two top leaders of the state Congress--chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and PCC chef Botcha Satyanarayana--have made peace for now, the Telangana divide in the party appears to be widening with each passing day.

The differences between the chief minister and his deputy C Damodara Rajanarasimha only expose the growing regional divide between top leaders in the ruling party.

Apart from this, as the general elections are approaching, senior leaders are reviving old feuds and attempting one-upmanship. The ongoing fight between Union minister D Purandeswari and Rajya Sabha member T Subbirami Reddy amply demonstrate the growing groupism in the party.

Be it Coastal Andhra, Telangana or Rayalaseema, the Congress Party is suffering from infighting among its seniors in every district. For instance, Congress in Nalgonda district is witnessing turf wars among party seniors. Ministers K Jana Reddy, N Uttam Kumar Reddy and former minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy do not see eye to eye.

Apart from feuds among seniors in the party, the Jagan factor and Telangana sentiment are posing a serious threat to the Congress.

Party leaders who are not confident of winning 2014 polls are now leaning towards Jagan in Seemandhra and TRS in Telangana, a challenge not easy to tackle for the ruling party.

TDP: Bumpy Road Ahead

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is back home after completing his marathon padayatra. However, several organisational lapses are staring at Naidu upon his return to Hyderabad. The growing differences between him and his brother-in-law N Harikrishna show that all is not well in the party. Harikrishna and his son NTR Jr were conspicuous by their absence at the public meeting organised on Saturday in Visakhapatnam to mark the end of Naidu’s padayatra. The reason for Harikrishna’s ire at his brother-in-law is said to be Naidu’s decision to promote his son Lokesh in the party, ignoring NTR Jr.

Another top two leaders of the party, Dadi Veerabhadra Rao and Kadiyam Srihari, too skipped the Visakha meeting. Dadi has been maintaining a distance from the party leadership ever since he was denied another term in the Legislative Council. Srihari is said to be considering leaving the party to join TRS, as he feels he is not given due respect in TDP.

Like Congress, TDP is also struggling to tackle the impact of Jagan on its leaders in Seemandhra, and T-sentiment in Telangana.

Apart from this, TDP leaders have also been divided along regional lines ever since the Centre made the December 9 statement.

Like Congress, the TDP too is suffering from internal squabbles in every district.

YSRC: All is Not Well

With YS Jagan Mohan Reddy languishing in prison for the last 11 months, strife between party aspirants for Assembly seats in each segment has become the order of the day in YSR Congress. After party leadership announced the list of coordinators for each Assembly segment, the turf war between the aspirants has taken an ugly turn. Recently, some leaders clashed in the presence of party top leader MV Mysoora Reddy, when he was holding a review meeting at Eluru. The influx of leaders from other parties into YSRC has led to a clash of interests between the newcomers and others. Party leaders are now waiting for the release of Jagan from prison to set the house in order. However, they doubt whether the party  would ever overcome organisational problems if Jagan is not released before 2014 polls.

TRS: Minor Hiccups

Though the TRS is free from the kind of problems faced by its rival parties, it too suffers from some organisational issues. There is a growing divide between newcomers and old-timers in the party. For instance, the recent entry of retired IAS officer KV Ramanachary gave the jitters to party MP Vijayashanti. Her apprehension is that Ramanachary’s admission would force her to give up her claim for Medak seat. Similarly, the entry of TDP MLA Gangula Kamalakar (Karimnagar) has also not gone down well with some leaders.

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Kiran gets brickbats from colleagues

 Some Cabinet ministers ‘revolted’ against Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on May Day over the Bayyaram mines issue and \'Bangaru Thalli\' scheme.

Published: 02nd May 2013 08:21 AM  |   Last Updated: 02nd May 2013 10:38 AM

By JR Prasad | ENS

Some Cabinet ministers ‘revolted’ against Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on May Day, on Wednesday.

Two days after he unveiled a new scheme, Bangaru Thalli, for the welfare of girls, apparently to win over women voters, and attacked TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao strongly over the Bayyaram mines, Kiran Reddy was at the receiving end of the stick on Wednesday on both the issues.

Health Minister DL Ravindra Reddy, a vociferous critic of the Chief Minister, called upon the people to drive away Congress leaders if welfare schemes like Bangaru Thalli were not implemented properly. His colleague and Panchayat Raj Minister Jana Reddy fired a broadside at Kiran saying it was not proper for him to take a unilateral decision on any issue, including allocation of Bayyaram mines to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Ravindra Reddy took potshots at his boss, saying, “I appreciate Bangaru Thalli scheme as it is intended to improve the dwindling sex ratio. However, I call upon people to drive us away from villages if the programme is not implemented properly. Merely announcing new schemes will not do any good. We should implement the schemes with utmost commitment.”

Both Ravindra and Jana said Kiran Reddy was not consulting his Cabinet colleagues while deciding on key issues.

On Wednesday, Ravindra Reddy visited Gandhi Bhavan and confabulated with PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana, another known critic of the chief minister. Ravindra Reddy, who seldom visits the party office, had a one-on-one discussion with the PCC chief.

Botcha, along with deputy chief minister C Damodara Rajanarasimha, was not seen at the chief minister’s programme in Medak district the other day. It is an open secret that both Botcha and Damodra corner Kiran Reddy at every opportunity.

Ravindra Reddy said he was not taken into confidence before the announcement of Bangaru Thalli scheme, which came into force on Wednesday.

“Bangaru Thalli is a good scheme. But, it should be implemented in a foolproof way. The mistakes committed by YS Rajasekhara Reddy in the implementing of the girl child programme in 2005 should not recur now. Even now, bonds pertaining the scheme for two years are pending,” he said.

He said he was totally ignored in formulating the Bangaru Thalli scheme even though his ministry plays a key role in its implementation. Though the program is monitored by the woman and child welfare department, it needs the cooperation of health department as the information of the birth of a girl child is to be provided by his department, the health minister said.

Ravindra Reddy also expressed his displeasure over the the implementation of Amma Hastam scheme.

PCC chief Botcha too joined chorus with his Cabinet colleague to take a dig at the CM.

“I have no knowledge of Bangaru Thalli scheme. I will comment on it after knowing it’s details,” Botcha told scribes when they sought his reaction to the scheme.

Danam, Pithani to CM’s Rescue: Coming to his rescue, Kiran Reddy’s supporters condemned the comments of his detractors.

Labour minister Danam Nagender told DL Ravindra Reddy not to cast aspersions on the chief minister.

“As the head of the Cabinet, the chief minister is empowered to announce any scheme. If it is a bad scheme, one can question. But, Bangaru Thalli is a very good scheme. It boosts the electoral prospects of the Congress,” Danam said.

Welfare minister Pithani Satyanarayana refuted the allegation that ministers had not been consulted while formulating schemes.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet sub-committee headed by finance minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy reviewed the implementation of welfare schemes across the state at the secretariat here on Wednesday. Ministers Botcha, Dharmana Prasada Rao, N Uttam Kumar Reddy and others were present.

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Party rivals plan new scheme against Kiran, the boss

 Published: 03rd May 2013 11:02 AM  |   Last Updated: 03rd May 2013 11:02 AM

By JR Prasad | ENS

Showing no signs of backing down, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s detractors in his Cabinet on Thursday reportedly decided to complain against him to the party high command.

PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana, who appeared to have buried the hatchet and attended several public meetings of Kiran Reddy, was back once again at the centre of the nit-pickers’ front. For the second day in a row, the Chief Minister’s rivals went into a huddle at Botcha’s residence for more than an hour.

Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy, who had for the first time publicly criticised his boss on Wednesday, and Health Minister DL Ravindra Reddy, who has been on an attacking spree, were at the meeting. Deputy Chief Minister C Damodara Rajanarasimha, another known critic of Kiran, too joined them along with Minister Vatti Vasanth Kumar.

It is learnt that the five leaders “disapproved” the unilateral approach of the Chief Minister while formulating new schemes. According to sources, they decided to continue their battle with Kiran till the latter mends his ways. For now, they would be taking the issue to the high command’s notice. When contacted, Botcha refused to divulge what had transpired at the meeting but said the Cabinet must be consulted before formulating schemes. “What is wrong is if they meet me? As I am the State Congress chief, ministers often come to me. Jana Reddy called on me yesterday also.” he said.  

Day before yesterday, Home Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy met me,” he replied to a query on the purpose of the ministers’ visit.

Vatti Vasanth Kumar claimed his presence was incidental! “I met Botcha to discuss the tour programme of Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh in Eluru on May 5. I called on Botcha at the same time as the others since I wasn’t aware of their visit,” he told Express.

But he too agreed with Botcha that the CM needs to take his Cabinet into confidence. Interestingly, Vatti is also said to be angry with the Chief Minister for not informing him of Jairam Ramesh’s tour in his native West Godavari district in advance.

Exposing the widening rift between Kiran’s followers and detractors in the Cabinet, ministers K Parthasarathi and Kondru Murali Mohan, both close confidants of Kiran, asserted that there was no truth in the allegation that the Chief Minister was not consulting his Cabinet on new schemes. Murali Mohan felt it was common for one or two ministers to always differ with the views of the Chief Minister.

Backed by other dissidents, Botcha declares all-out war on Kiran Reddy

 Published: 04th May 2013 08:33 AM  |   Last Updated: 04th May 2013 08:33 AM

By JR Prasad | ENS

PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana seems to have declared an all-out war against chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

The ongoing combat between the supporters and detractors of Kiran Reddy in the state Cabinet on Friday took an interesting turn with Botcha reportedly sending a note to the party high command about the ‘behaviour’ of the chief minister.

According to a close aide of the PCC chief, Botcha sent a report to the AICC state affairs in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday. The leader claimed that Azad himself had asked Botcha to send a note on the controversy surrounding Bangaru Talli scheme.

In that ‘sitrep’, Botcha is understood have complained to the AICC top brass about the unilateral decisions being taken by the chief minister on key issues. It is learnt that, Botcha, who held a meeting with Kiran Reddy’s detractors such as C Damodara Rajanarasimha, K Jana Reddy, DL Ravindra Reddy and Vatti Vasantha Kumar at his residence here on Thursday, also included the opinions of them in his report.

According to sources, health minister DL Ravindra Reddy explained about a similar scheme announced for girls by former chief minister late YS Rajasekhar Reddy in 2005, to Botcha during their meeting. The scheme, which envisages insuring some amount with LIC which would give the child Rs 1 lakh when she attains the age of 18 years, was discontinued as the government has not paid premiums properly. Hence, Ravindra objected to Bangaru Talli, thinking that it too would meet the similar fate as he felt that the new scheme was launched without a proper exercise. Citing the objections raised by Ravindra over Bangaru Taalli, Botcha in his report is understood to have told his party leadership that the chief minister was not taking the Cabinet into confidence while formulating new schemes.

The PCC chief is also learnt to have referred to the recent outburst of panchayat raj minister K Jana Reddy at the chief minister for not informing him about the decision of allocating Bayyaram mines to the Vizag Steel Plant in the report, to substantiate his argument that some ministers were not happy over the way Kiran Reddy is dealing with them.

However, in an informal chat with reporters at Gandhi Bhavan on Friday, Botcha said he had no issues with the chief minister to revolt against him. “We are not holding any dissident activities against Kiran Reddy. As I am the PCC chief, some ministers have been calling on me to discuss party affairs,” he said.

Kiran, Botcha camps gearing up for a showdown in Delhi

 Published: 05th May 2013 08:14 AM  |   Last Updated: 05th May 2013 08:14 AM

By JR Prasad

The Congress battleground seems to be shifting from Hyderabad to Delhi with the two rival camps in the state cabinet, one headed by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and the other led by PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana, are preparing for a showdown before the party high command.

A day after the PCC chief reportedly decided to undertake Delhi tour to complain against the alleged “unilateral decisions” of the chief minister along with deputy chief minister C Damodara Rajanarasimha, Kiran Reddy’s camp also resolved to wage a battle against their detractors directly before the AICC top brass.

Though the CM’s office has not confirmed his Delhi visit, sources close to Kiran Reddy divulged that the Congress high command has asked the chief minister to be ready to visit Delhi at any moment after Monday. The chief minister has cancelled his three-day Indiramma Baata in Anantapur to be held from May 6.

Former minister JC Diwakar told media that the chief minister might visit Delhi at any time.

“There would be some key developments after CM’s visit to Delhi. I can say one thing, the CM is determined to revive the electoral fortunes of the party. So, he is announcing new welfare schemes for the benefit of various sections of people,” Diwakar Reddy said.

Another minister from Anantapur and Kiran Reddy’s close aide Sake Sailajanath too confirmed that the chief minister had put off the Indiramma Baata in Anantapur to undertake Delhi visit. The minister rubbished the speculations being floated by Kiran Reddy’s rival camp that he might be replaced soon.

With Karnataka elections coming to an end on Sunday, party leaders feel that their high command might take some hard decisions relating to the state party affairs, after Kiran Reddy’s Delhi visit.

Leaders close to the chief minister said he would apprise the party high command of the political situation in the state and clarify issues raised by his detractors, like launching new welfare schemes.

Meanwhile, Kiran Reddy along with his supporters in the cabinet on Saturday took stock of situation following the reports that the PCC chief has sent a note to the high command over the style of functioning of the chief minister.

Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, TG Venkatesh, Sake Sailajanath, Sathrucherla Vijayarama Raju, Syed Mohammad Ahmadullah and Kondru Murali Mohan were among the ministers who Kiran Reddy on Saturday.

By JR Prasad

The Congress battleground seems to be shifting from Hyderabad to Delhi with the two rival camps in the state cabinet, one headed by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and the other led by PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana, are preparing for a showdown before the party high command.

A day after the PCC chief reportedly decided to undertake Delhi tour to complain against the alleged “unilateral decisions” of the chief minister along with deputy chief minister C Damodara Rajanarasimha, Kiran Reddy’s camp also resolved to wage a battle against their detractors directly before the AICC top brass.

Though the CM’s office has not confirmed his Delhi visit, sources close to Kiran Reddy divulged that the Congress high command has asked the chief minister to be ready to visit Delhi at any moment after Monday. The chief minister has cancelled his three-day Indiramma Baata in Anantapur to be held from May 6.

Former minister JC Diwakar told media that the chief minister might visit Delhi at any time.

“There would be some key developments after CM’s visit to Delhi. I can say one thing, the CM is determined to revive the electoral fortunes of the party. So, he is announcing new welfare schemes for the benefit of various sections of people,” Diwakar Reddy said.

Another minister from Anantapur and Kiran Reddy’s close aide Sake Sailajanath too confirmed that the chief minister had put off the Indiramma Baata in Anantapur to undertake Delhi visit. The minister rubbished the speculations being floated by Kiran Reddy’s rival camp that he might be replaced soon.

With Karnataka elections coming to an end on Sunday, party leaders feel that their high command might take some hard decisions relating to the state party affairs, after Kiran Reddy’s Delhi visit.

Leaders close to the chief minister said he would apprise the party high command of the political situation in the state and clarify issues raised by his detractors, like launching new welfare schemes.

Meanwhile, Kiran Reddy along with his supporters in the cabinet on Saturday took stock of situation following the reports that the PCC chief has sent a note to the high command over the style of functioning of the chief minister.

Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, TG Venkatesh, Sake Sailajanath, Sathrucherla Vijayarama Raju, Syed Mohammad Ahmadullah and Kondru Murali Mohan were among the ministers who Kiran Reddy on Saturday.

Leaders give Congress a casting worry

 Published: 06th May 2013 12:29 PM  |   Last Updated: 06th May 2013 12:29 PM

By JR Prasad

The ongoing cold war between Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and his detractors in the Cabinet seems to be turning into a clash between the Reddys and Kapus in the Congress.

At a time when PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana has almost declared a war against the Chief Minister by reportedly sending a note to the Congress high command against his alleged unilateral decisions, Union Minister K Chiranjeevi’s camp too has stepped up its attack on Kiran Reddy.

Endowments Minister C Ramachandraiah, a close confidant of Chiranjeevi, on Sunday spewed venom at the Chief Minister.

“Before introducing a new scheme, the Chief Minister must discuss it with the Cabinet. Formulating schemes is not his personal affair,” he told reporters in Vijayawada. As if to rub salt into the wounds of the Chief Minister, who is facing a revolt-like situation in the Cabinet, Ramachandraiah said, “Chiranjeevi should be the CM candidate from the Congress in 2014 polls. He will play a bigger role than any other leader in the party.”

Stating that Chiranjeevi was suitable for the Chief Minister’s post, he questioned, “What is wrong if he contests the 2014 polls as a CM candidate? People of the state are eagerly waiting to see him as CM.” He further said Chiranjeevi was inferior to nobody in the party.

Interestingly, on Saturday, while addressing a public meeting at Bheemili, Ramachandraiah ignored Kiran Reddy in his speech, saying that Chiranjeevi and Botcha would lead the Congress in the 2014 polls.

Since PCC chief Botcha, Chiranjeevi, Ramachandraiah and Tourism minister V Vasanth Kumar are all from the Kapu community, the sudden stepping up of attack on Kiran Reddy by Ramachandraiah lends credence to the argument that the ongoing war between the Chief Minister and his rivals in the party is now taking a caste colour.

Strengthening this theory, the State Government Chief Whip Gandra Venkataramana Reddy said Ramachandraiah might be praising Chiranjeevi as he is a fan of the veteran actor and also belongs to the same community to which Chiranjeevi belongs.

Why Bigger Role for BCs?: Ramachandraiah’s remarks that Chiranjeevi should be declared CM candidate of the Congress in the 2014 polls should be seen in the context of the growing demand in the party for a bigger role for leaders from the Kapu community.

There is a general opinion among Kapu leaders in the party like PCC chief Botcha, former PCC chiefs D Srinivas and K Kesava Rao, and Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao, and minister Kanna Lakshmi Narayana, that majority of Reddys and Dalits, once considered as the vote-bank of the Congress, are now rallying behind Jagan.

“If a major chunk of Malas are backing the YSRC, Madigas are throwing their weight behind the TDP as the yellow party is in favour of categorisation of SCs,” a leader felt.

These leaders are of the opinion that if the Congress can woo BCs, who constitute about half of the state’s population, and Kapus, who are around 14 per cent of the population, the party can turn the electoral fortunes in its favour.

D Srinivas recently submitted a report to AICC chief Sonia Gandhi requesting her to consider the option of going to the 2014 polls in the state on the “BC plank” to turn the electoral tide in the party’s favour.

Rahul Gandhi to meet Congress MPs on May 9

 Published: 07th May 2013 08:08 AM  |   Last Updated: 07th May 2013 01:08 PM

By JR Prasad

With election fever in Karnataka subsiding, the Congress high command seems to have shifted its attention to party affairs in Andhra Pradesh.

At a time when the ongoing battle between the camps of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and his detractors is intensifying with each passing day, the AICC leadership appears to have started the process of brokering peace between the warring factions to prepare the party for 2014 polls. Reports from Delhi indicate some “bold and hard decisions” may be in the offing. Congress MPs from the State have been summoned by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi to meet him on May 9 at the Parliament House in Delhi from 12 noon to 2 PM to discuss party affairs. The meeting is part of his ongoing exercise to take stock of party situation across the country to prepare the rank and file for 2014 elections. Rahul is expected to discuss thorny issues, including Telangana, plaguing the State Congress in his first-ever meeting with the state MPs in his capacity as party vice-president.

“As the budget session of Parliament will be over by May 10, Rahul has started meeting all the MPs of the party before they return to their respective states. As part of this, he is holding a meeting with Congress MPs from AP on May 9,” an MP said.

Armed with ample information

The AICC vice-president has so far held similar meetings with party seniors from the state like Paladugu Venkata Rao, Gade Venkata Reddy and Palvai Govardhan Reddy. He also recently held a one-on-one with Chief Minister Kiran Reddy and PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana. At these meetings, Rahul elicited their opinions on how to face two key issues - Jagan factor and T-sentiment- which are likely to affect the electoral fortunes of the Congress in 2014.  He also commissioned his own surveys on the party situation in the state through his hand-picked “secret agents”, who recently toured the state. During their tour, Rahul’s representatives gathered information on the winning chances of sitting MPs. They also gathered information on alternative candidates for the party if any of the sitting MPs board Jagan’s ship.Rahul’s agents also tried to find whether an alliance with YSRC would improve the prospects of the party. They also attempted to measure the T-sentiment.

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Parties dream of Karnataka-like cakewalk

 If Cong leaders saw the much needed boost ahead of the D-day in 2014 in the results, opposition drew exactly the opposite inference

Published: 09th May 2013 08:37 AM  |   Last Updated: 09th May 2013 08:37 AM 

By JR Prasad

The results of the Karnataka Assembly elections on Wednesday gave a chance for both ruling and Opposition parties in the State to blow their trumpet. If Congress leaders saw in the results a much-needed boost ahead of the D-Day in 2014, their Opposition counterparts drew exactly the opposite inference.

PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana said the people of Karnataka had given the mandate to the Congress for fighting against corruption. “The Karnataka results prove that people will never tolerate corruption. As the Congress waged a relentless battle against deep-rooted corruption of the BJP government, voters unequivocally backed the party. In our State too, the same result is going to be repeated in 2014,” predicted Botcha.

Taking an indirect dig at the YSRC, he said people never endorse corruption and embezzlement of public money. “People always condemn corruption and back welfare schemes. As our government is trying to root out corruption in the State and is implementing welfare programmes with utmost commitment, I am sure our party will hit a hat-trick,” Botcha said.

According to him, the just-concluded Karnataka polls also proved that sentiment never helps a party at the hustings. “Any sort of sentiment never stays for long. So, those parties which are purely banking on sentiment and emotions will be disappointed in 2014,” he said, adding that the YSRC’s dream of coming to power will never be fulfilled.

The TDP, on its part, gave an altogether different interpretation.

Agreeing with Botcha that Karnataka voters gave their mandate against corruption, TDP politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, however, felt the results indicate an impending electoral drubbing for the ruling Congress, “which is also facing massive corruption charges”.

TDP leader E Peddi Reddy said the Karnataka results showed that sentiment would not work. In an oblique reference to the YSRC, Reddy recalled that the BSR Congress Party, set up by B Sriramulu to bank on the sentiment factor, had ended as a damp squib in the Karnataka. The YSRC will also meet with the same fate, he said.

On the other hand, the YSRC said people of the State were eager to vote for Jagan as they believe he would bring back the “golden regime” of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

Trashing the argument of the Congress and the TDP that the YSRC would meet with the same fate as the BSRC, party MLA B Shobha Nagi Reddy challenged both parties to hold bypolls to all the 18 Assembly segments, whose representatives violated the whip of their respective parties during the recent no-trust motion, if they had the guts.

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Rahul promises sweet something

 Published: 11th May 2013 11:18 AM  |   Last Updated: 11th May 2013 11:18 AM

By JR Prasad

AICC vicepresident Rahul Gandhi’s pep talk seems to have paid off at least on the Telangana front. The five Congress MPs from Telangana, who had been almost on a war path against their high command over the T issue till the other day, seem to have dropped their plans of switching loyalties, for now.

The three hardliners among them, G Vivekananda, Manda Jagannadham and Siricilla Rajaiah, appear to have resolved to put off their plan of jumping onto the TRS bandwagon for their political survival. Vivekananda, a vocal Telangana leader, on Friday said that after holding talks with Rahul Gandhi, they were fully convinced that he would do justice to Telangana soon.

The MP, who had been pressing for an early decision from his party’s high command on the separate State demand, told reporters that they could not set a deadline for Rahul for resolving the issue. As he had conceded their demand of meeting them separately, he said they would wait for the exclusive discussion with Rahul to know his mood over the T issue.

Vivek further said the MPs would not resign from the party as they still had faith in the party leadership. Interestingly, not only Vivek but also some of his colleagues, who more or less raised a banner of revolt against the high command recently, have softened their stance.

“Rahul Gandhi is a gentleman. We should give him ample time to decide the Telangana issue. We couldn’t compel him to take an early decision as he himself promised us that he would hold a separate meeting with us,” an MP, who had been attacking his party leadership till a few days ago, said. It is learnt that the MPs have changed their mind as they got some assurance that they would be again fielded from their sitting seats in the 2014 polls. Even Manda Jagannadham,

who has dropped hints that he would join the TRS, is said to be cautious now. As Rahul reportedly assured Manda that he would look into his complaint against minister DK Aruna, he is understood to have decided to “wait and watch”.

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TD leaders see silver lining on cloud

 Published: 13th May 2013 12:17 PM  |   Last Updated: 13th May 2013 12:17 PM

By JR Prasad

In the wake of Dadi Veerabhadra Rao and Kadiam Srihari bidding adieu to the TDP, an extensive discussion is going on among party leaders over the impact of the desertions.

Many leaders are of the opinion that the exodus is a blessing in disguise for the party to infuse new blood as party affairs in each district are still dominated by old-timers who joined the party at the time of its inception in 1982.

“Though there will be some psychological impact on the cadre when a big leader leaves the party, the ongoing desertions will help the party groom new leaders in the place of veterans,” TDP politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu told Express.

According to him, most of the leaders who had left the TDP had to bite the dust. Whether it is Nadendla Bhaskar Rao or Nallapareddy Srinivasulu Reddy or KP Reddaiah Yadav, those who left the party lost out in politics, Ramakrishnudu analysed.

When we observe the defections from various parties in the state, we broadly find three types, he said.

One, those who defected to other parties and went into political oblivion. For instance, several TDP leaders who joined the Praja Rajyam before 2009 polls, like AM Radhakrishna and Shobha Rani, are now struggling survive. Congress leaders who joined the PRP during those polls, like P Shivashankar and KSR Murthy, had to meet a similar fate. Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy and other TRS leaders, who defected to Congress, also ended up the same way.

Two, those who defected to other parties only to return to their parent party later. TDP leaders T Devender Goud, Tammineni Sitaram and Kimidi Kala Venkata Rao came back to TDP from the PRP.

Then there is the third category of leaders who defect to a rival party only to bring new problems for that party. The commotion created in the YSRC after the entry of Dadi Veerabhadra Rao is the latest example, he said.

The TDP leaders say the exodus of seniors would pave the way for second-rung leaders, who have been waiting for an opportunity to prove their political caliber.

“For a 30-year-old party like TDP, naturally there will be some disgruntlement among second-rung functionaries at long-standing leaders. Even I am not exception to this. The ongoing desertions will help the party bring in new leadership,” Ramakrishnudu said.

On the flip side, the TDP leadership is unable to find new leaders in some districts where its seniors left the party. For example, after Gutta Sukhender Reddy’s exit, the yellow party is at a loss to find a leader in Nalgonda district to replace him.

Raghuveera hints at hard steps coming

Published: 14th May 2013 12:11 PM  |   Last Updated: 14th May 2013 12:11 PM

By JR Prasad

Stage seems set for the “clean-up” of the state Congress as well as the state government.

The Congress high command, which has already dropped enough hints of “operation clean-up” in the state, seems to have started its exercise to set its house in the state in order in the run-up to 2014 polls. Triggering speculations on the possibility of change of guard either at the state government level or at the PCC level, revenue minister N Raghuveera Reddy, who is not in the habit of making predictions about changes in the state party, on Monday hinted at some “hard decisions” with regard to the state from the Delhi bosses.

Raghuveera, who, of late, turned a detractor to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy by joining the camp of PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana and Union Minister K Chiranjeevi, called on party supremo Sonia Gandhi at 10 Jan Path in Delhi on Monday. He is learnt to have submitted a detailed report to her on the party situation in the state as well as the performance of the state government.

Emerging from the meeting, he said, “All the speculations with regard to state party affairs will be put to rest soon. Madam Sonia is very much determined to preserve the party in the state. I hope some hard decisions will be taken very soon. I also hope some good things will happen to the party in state.”

The Minister has not elaborated on what exactly transpired during the meeting.However, he stressed the need to overhaul the party.

Sources said the high command also indicated to the PCC chief, during his three-day stay in Delhi and subsequent meetings with the AICC functionaries, that some major changes are on the cards. Dropping of the “tainted” ministers from the Cabinet is said to be the main decision to come so as to give a clean look to the government in the run-up to 2014 polls.