Hyderabad, September 24: State Congress president D Srinivas has poured venom on mediapersons, describing them as burglars lurking around his house and trying to poke their nose in what is happening in the party on the issue of YSR’s successor.
“You were all there like burglars, waiting outside my house with television cameras. You spoke to everyone who met me for the last 10 days. The issue of successor is an interal affair of the party,’’ said an annoyed Srinivas when reporters asked him whether any minister or MLA had met him seeking his support to make Jagan Mohan Reddy chief minister.
Asserting that chief ministership was not at all an issue for him, he refused to talk about it nor to disclose details of discussions that took place between him and party leaders who included ministers, legislators and others owing allegiance to Jagan Mohan Reddy.
He also made it clear that the demand for anointing Jagan Mohan Reddy and Rosaiah continuing as chief minister were separate issues. “Rosaiah has worked as a minister for nearly 20 years and no one can say he is inefficient. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong for ministers and others wanting to see Jagan as the next chief minister. After Rajasekhara Reddy’s death, it was said that Rosaiah would be made chief minister for the time being. I am not ready to discuss the leadership issue since it is for the high command to decide. The ball is in its court.’’ Asked about CWC members K Keshava Rao and G Venkata Swamy’s remarks, the PCC chief refused to react saying that they were seniors to him and may have spoken their mind basing on the information available with them. As for now, Congressmen had not yet come out of the shock over Rajasekhara Reddy’s death, Srinivas said.
In another development, party legislator P Vishnuvardhan Reddy met former chief minister and Congress Working Committee member Nedurumalli Janardan Reddy at the latter’s residence here today. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, son of the late leader P Janardhan Reddy who had no love lost for YSR, has been keeping a distance from the Jagan camp. He said later that he would extend support to Jagan if the party so desired but nobody had sought his support. As for Rosaiah, he was doing a good job, he hastened to add.
The day also witnessed hectic consultations within the Jagan camp with minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, former minister Konathala Ramakrishna and others meeting Rajya Sabha member KVP Ramachandra Rao at the latter’s residence.
–Agencies–