Stoutly denying that he is in the race for Chief Minister’s post of Telangana State, Union Minister Sarve Satyanarayana today said some leaders were resorting to misinformation campaign against him.
Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Save Satyanarayana said he was not aspiring for the top post as he was more inclined to become Union Cabinet Minister by winning Malkajgiri MP seat for third time. “As the youth is looking at AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi to be next Prime Minister, I want to be in his cabinet. I prefer to become a cabinet minister of Rahul Gandhi government at the Centre after 2014 general elections, rather than becoming chief minister of a small State like Telangana, which has only 10 districts”, he maintained.
Apparently, he revealed his mind that he was in the race for chief minister’s post. To buttress this, he said he would politely reject an offer by AICC Chief Sonia Gandhi to take up the top post. “Some vested interests in the State are trying to malign my image. Even the Delhi bosses may offer the mantle, which instead should be given to more efficient and a senior leader”, Satyanaryana said.
Sarve said there was no use of extending time for debate on Telangnaa Draft Bill in the Assembly. AICC will keep its promise of giving statehood to Telangana by end of February. “I appeal to President Pranab Mukherjee not to extend time for Telangana debate, which is against the interests of the statehood”. He accused the Seemandhra leaders of deliberately trying to stall debate to further delay the Bill from getting passed in Parliament. Parliament would ultimately pass the bill unmindful of views sent by the Assembly, the Union minister averred. At least now, the Seemandhra leaders should utilize the remaining time and express their views and help Telangana get statehood, he appealed.
He denied allegations that he was involved in any sort of land grabbing cases in and around Hyderabad as was being campaigned by some Congress leaders through a TV Channel. “I will quit active politics if corrupt and land grabbing allegations were proved”, Sarve challenged. (NSS)
