PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana has said that the YSR Congress leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has a moral responsibility to prove the innocence of his late father Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy when allegations were made against him.
Speaking to the media here on Thursday, Botcha said though the cabinet holds responsibility for the decisions taken by the government, it had no responsibility with regard to what happens behind the screen. He, however, maintained that there were no irregularities during the YSR regime. He said it was improper to blame the father for the corruption of the son.
On by-elections, Botcha said these were caused because of the selfish interests of a few persons. Stating that Congress would win all the seats, he said that the TDP would be in third place. Answering questions, he said the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy would participate in the election campaigning. Stating that every one would take responsibility for the victory of Congress candidates in the ensuing by-elections, Botsa said tours of the constituencies would start from Friday.
He said that during their visit, they had discussed about strategies to be followed for creating awareness among the people, on the development programs the party had undertaken. Stating that ways to strengthen the organization were also discussed, the PCC chief said that an action plan was prepared for this. A decision has been taken to fill all the vacant party positions as soon as possible, he said.
When asked about differences between him and the Chief Minister, Botcha said confusion was created in the party cadres because of the media reports. He said that the main aim of all the Congress leaders was to lead the party to victory in the ensuing by-elections.
Asked about the transfer of Srinivasa Reddy, chief of the SIT of ACB, Botcha said he had nothing to do with it. When media persons pointed out that the official was transferred at midnight, Botcha said he did not know whether he was transferred in broad day light or at midnight. He said media should ask the officials about such transfers. He also claimed that he did not even know Srinivasa Reddy.
When the media has pointed out that Srinivasa Reddy was made a scapegoat, Botcha quipped how a promotion could be described as making him scapegoat. He cautioned the media that he would only say “no comment” if the same question was posed to him once again. He told correspondents that they should only ask him party matters. However, he said that he was made a target in the liquor raids. He also dismissed reports of differences with the Chief Minister and said in Congress, party interests were of more importance than individuals’.
When questioned about Telangana, Botcha termed it a delicate issue. He said that Congress would proceed in the matter with long-term interests in view. He said that a deep thought would be given whether to retain the unity of the State or bifurcate it. He said that the party would be keeping the interests of all concerned in view, when taking a decision on the complex issue. Referring to Jagan’s party, he said that simply because some individuals won elections, they could not be described as virtuous.
Referring to TDP Rajya Sabha member Nandamuri Hari Krishna’s comment that Congress was a drama company, he said that it was better that he first attended to fights in his own party. He said that none of the Congress leaders, including himself, had ever acted in any drama, he said sarcastically, as the Nandamuri family was a family of actors. On the other hand, it was the TDP that was a drama company and was full of actors. (NSS)