The Congress party on Sunday warned the senior leaders of stern action if they do not stop making statements against the party and its leaders.
“Quit or keep quiet. But don’t damage the party with your irresponsible statements,” asked Primary Education Minister S Sailajanath to senior leaders while addressing a press conference in the assembly premises. He said some leaders have been making irresponsible statements which has damaged the party’s image among the general public. He said that the leaders should avoid double-speak and instead, should resign from the party.
Sailajanath said that the party was now conducting a “post-mortem” to ascertain the real causes of defeat in the by-elections. After conducting the ground-level survey, he said that the party would take action against those responsible for the defeat, directly or indirectly.
Regarding the party’s defeat in Anantapur (Urban) seat, Sailajanath denied former minister JC Diwakar Reddy’s allegations that candidate Rasheed Ahmed lost the by-polls as his candidature was finalised against the wishes of senior leaders. He said Rasheed Ahmed was not his candidate, but his nomination was finalised by the AICC. Therefore, it was wrong to blame him for his defeat. He said the results were shocking as the party has lost the traditional votes in the by-elections.
Meanwhile, AICC Secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar also asked the senior leaders to change their behaviour and stop speaking against the party. He said the leaders should realise that their words could damage the party’s and leaders’ image among the people.
Legislative Council Whip Rudraju Padmaraju said that the party has given sufficient time to the rebels to change their attitude. However, he said if they does not change their behaviour, the party would be forced to take serious action them. (INN)