Even as the AP bifurcation bill reached President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent, the fight for Chief Minister’s post took a new turn. The Union Law Ministry, which received the bill from Home Ministry, sent it to the President for his approval that will be followed by a Gazette notification.
The Centre, which gave feelers for putting in place a new government, is likely to reveal its mind on who is going to succeed caretaker Chief Minister Kiran after his resignation. While Union Minister K Chiranjeevi emerged as a front runner for the big assignment, senior State ministers like Kanna Lakshminarayana and PCC Chief Botcha Satyanarayana are in the fray. Keeping Kapu community in view which can do a magic by their 25 per cent of votes, the Centre plans to rope in the actor-turned-politician for now.
It is learnt that Chiranjeevi’s name is confirmed by the party high command though other seniors threw their hats into the ring despite being loyal. The Telangana Congress leaders are said to have agreed to any decision taken by the party high command in this regard. Earlier Chiranjeevi called on AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh and revealed his mind that he was ready to take up any responsibility assigned by the party. Singh is understood to have briefed the former on the new assignment which can be game changer for the party in the forthcoming general elections. It is learnt that the high command has taken a decision in the war room on Kiran’s successor and Chiru’s name if not Kanna or Botcha, may be announced in a few days. (NSS)
