Stating that defections from the party were expected, PCC Chief Botcha Satyanarayana has said that only selfish and characterless persons were leaving the party and there would be no harm to the party by such weather cocks.
Speaking to the media at Gandhi Bhavan here on Monday, Botcha said that State Cabinet expansion might take place if warranted. A decision on cabinet expansion would be taken only after party’s internal discussion, he said. Stating that disillusionment among the State MPs was common, the PCC chief said it was common that some mistakes occur whenever the Cabinet is expanded.
The PCC chief said that he met Eluru MP Kavuri Sambasiva Rao and requested him to withdraw his resignation. “Kavuri was elected as MP for five times and it is natural that he could have heart-burning over not getting inducted into the Union cabinet. “I think Kavuri might be convinced with my request”, he said, and added that the party will utilize his valuable services by giving him a good position. He also said that the Congress high priests might have concluded that S Jaipal Reddy was not suitable to head Petroleum Ministry and hence shifted him to another department. He pointed out that the Central leadership does not ask the State leadership on the selection of candidates for the Union cabinet. It only seeks information about the candidates’ credentials”, he added.
He said that his wife Jhansi’s name had not included in the Central Ministry just because of him. “I am already having PCC Chief post along with the Minister post. The Central leadership’s decision was correct and it is not correct to give all the positions to one family”, he said. He also said there was no connection between the Union Cabinet expansion and the Telangana issue. The Centre would solve the Telangana issue as soon as possible, he hoped. (NSS)