Hyderabad, May 20: Congress MP V Hanumantha Rao said Thursday that the state Congress needs surgery to become a formidable force in the 2014 election, which can only happen if a ‘fighter’ is made the PCC chief.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, the senior leader said, “Since the party is facing a threat from Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, it is time the party geared up for the next elections.”
“A fighter should be appointed as PCC chief without any further delay. To keep the people of Telangana satisfied, a person of stature from the region who has rapport with leaders and workers in all three regions should be appointed as PCC chief.”
Hanumantha Rao said making someone from Telangana the deputy chief minister would not serve the purpose. “The post is not a very powerful one. Whoever occupies the position will not be able to do much for Telangana or the rest of the state. I suggest that the Congress entrust its party affairs to a Telangana leader because the party is going through a critical phase in the region.’’
The MP said the PCC chief should be able to inspire party workers in taking Jagan Mohan Reddy head on.
He should be a tall personality acceptable to the people of all three regions.
He said the party must make use of Chiranjeevi to refurbish the image of the party in the three regions of the state.
“We have to use him to infuse enthusiasm in party cadres.” This apart, Hanumantha Rao wanted the party to reassure the people of Telangana that it is committed to the statement made by Union home minister P Chidambaram on Dec. 9, 2009.
“I was the most vocal of all MPs when we raised the issue of Telangana with AP Congress affairs in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad two days ago,” he said.
“Though I am chalking out a programme to tour north Andhra districts, it does not mean that I have abandoned the Telangana cause,” Hanumantha Rao said.
–Agencies