PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana on Tuesday denied that there were differences between him and Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Botcha said that there was no truth in reports that they have serious differences. He also denied that he had written any letter to the Congress president Sonia Gandhi, making complaints against the Chief Minister, as was reported by a section of the media.
Botsa also denied that he was called by the High Command to New Delhi. He, however, worried that anyone heading the State party should have a clean image. He also said that differences between any two leaders would harm the party.
Referring to reports that he was opposing the Chief Minister, he questioned if any one could prove that he had ever talked ill of the Chief Minister. He also maintained that Kiran also had no animosity towards him.
Asked about allegations of running liquor mafia in Vizianagaram district, Botcha, while denying the charge, said that the government could order any sort of inquiry into the allegation. He said that when some one commits an offence, he deserved punishment. There is no separate rule for friends and relatives, he asserted. Despite denying that he was called to the capital, Botsa said he would be going to New Delhi in the evening.
It may be mentioned here that media reports stated that the Congress High Command called both the Chief Minister and the PCC Chief for sorting out their differences. However, Botcha said that he was going to New Delhi to discuss about the ensuing by-elections to the State Assembly and Lok Sabha. He appealed to Congress leaders not to speak out about their differences before the media. He said that if they complain, party leadership would sort out all issues.
DY CM AND DL MEET BOTCHA
Despite Botcha stating that he was going to New Delhi only to discuss about the ensuing by-elections, the meeting he had with dissident leaders Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha and D L Ravindra Reddy has given credence to reports that something was brewing.
Both Damodar and DL, who have been openly expressing anger at the style of functioning of Kiran Kumar Reddy, reportedly discussed with Botcha what he should tell the party High Command.
Satyanarayana is said to be very angry with the Chief Minister as he has been suspecting the Chief Minister’s hands behind ACB raids on liquor syndicates being run by his kin. (NSS)