Despite continuous confabulations by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and PCC Chief Botcha Satyanarayana, ‘rebel’ Congress leader Adala Prabhakar Reddy refused to withdraw, while Chaitanya Raju had to bow to the pressure. With this, there are seven members contesting for six RS seats in the February 7 poll.
On Friday hectic parleys were held in the CM camp office without success. In a new twist, Adala Prabhakar Reddy said he will remain in the fray. He expressed serious discontent that if anyone gives a withdrawal letter to the election officer, it will be of no use. “I am very much in the fray of Rajya Sabha elections”, he said. MLA Venkataramaiah handed over a letter of withdrawal in the name of Adala to Legislature Secretary Rajasadaram, sources said.
Reacting on the letter, Prabhakar rubbished the move and said he was no way concerned with it. In the meanwhile, the last date for withdrawals concluded on January 31. Kiran and Botcha held a series of parleys with them to make sure that the elections will be held unanimous. AICC secretary Kuntiya also impressed upon the issue but of no use, it is learnt.
It is learnt that official candidates KVP Ramachandra Rao and T Subbarami Reddy also tried in vain to convince the rebels. Minister G Srinivasa Rao said the party high command asked Chaitanya Raju and Prabhakar Reddy to withdraw but one of them may withdraw to keep the Congress in good humor. Senior Congress leader JC Diwakar Reddy supported the rebels to contest the polls. (NSS)
