Hyderabad, February 2: Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas on Tuesday lashed out at Congress Working Committee member G Venkataswamy for calling for the resignation of AICC chief Sonia Gandhi.
Describing Mr Venkataswamy’s comments as unwarranted and not suitable to his post and seniority, Mr Srinivas said that the senior leader was venting out his frustration after being denied his wish to become President of India.
He said the Congress leader has forgotten how the party has groomed his career and his family members. Mr Srinivas pointed out that even Opposition Leader L K Advani had recognised Ms Gandhi’s leadership skills and accepted her as leader of Congress party.
Mr Srinivas further added that after Ms Gandhi assumed charge, the party position has improved a lot in all states.
The PCC chief further added that there was nothing wrong in sending Congress Working Committee member AK Anthony to Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi’s residence seeking an alliance.
Reacting on the allegations of rampant corruption, he said Ms Gandhi has not encouraged corruption and was in fact working hard to eradicate the evil from the country.
Meanwhile, MP V Hanumantha Rao also took serious objection for to Mr Venkataswamy’s comments and demanded that he withdraw the remarks immediately.
Talking to media persons at New Delhi, Mr Hanumantha Rao said the senior leader had made these remarks as was not chosen for the post of the President.
Instead of raising the issue of rampant corruption, the MP asked Mr Venkataswamy to disclose his property details.
Mr Hanumantha Rao further added that Mr Venkataswamy had failed to raise the Telangana statehood issue, despite being a CWC member and party senior.
Condemning the remarks, Transport Minister Botsa Satyanarayana demanded both Mr Venkataswamy and his son resign from their posts.
“In a democratic country, alliances between parties are common. If like-minded parties share common agenda, they will have tie up and work for achieving their goals,” he said.
Even during former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy tenure, the alliance of PRP with Congress was discussed, Mr Satyanarayana stated.
Rubbishing the statements, he asked the party workers not to be too bothered about the harangue.
He said the alliance with PRP should be taken in a right direction and spirit to strengthen Congress and government.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy refused to comment on Mr Venkataswamy’s statements
INN