CM seeks high command's advice in Dehi

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy was in Delhi to seek Congress High Command's advice on the fate of ministers who are under CBI scanner in connection with disproportionate assets case.

Battling crisis after crisis, Kiran Reddy now wants the party top brass to break the impasse on issues like the resignation of roads and buildings minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, named in the charge sheet in the disproportionate case, and the fate of other ministers under scanner. His visit comes in the backdrop of speculation that the party is trying to end factionalism in the government and state unit by removing PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana, who is a known adversary of the chief minister. As Kiran arrived in the capital, party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Chiranjeevi met Congress President Sonia Gandhi for over 30 minutes and confabulated over the political situation in the state. Chiranjeevi, who belongs to the influential Kapu community, is of the view that Reddys, who supported the Congress for years have migrated, and that only his community was supporting the party. He is believed to told the Congress chief that leaders from Kapu community should be given preference in party and the government. Chiranjeevi refused to talk about the meeting. However, Kiran Reddy could not get an audience from Gandhi till late in the night but held discussions with General Secretary in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad and senior ministers A K Antony and P Chidambaram. Kiran is understood to have sought advice from the leaders on dealing with the resignation of Rao and others ministers who are named in the case.

Sources said the chief minister wants the High Command's nod for carrying out a major reshuffle in his cabinet by inducting fresh faces. In case, the PCC chief is removed, it is highly likely that he will be replaced by a leader from the Kapu community as caste plays a major role in Andhra Pradesh politics. Reddys have always stood behind the Congress but majority of them have shifted loyalties to Jagan Reddy, whose father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy ruled Andhra Pradesh without any rebellion from inside the party. The chief minister hopes the Congress high command would guide him appropriately on the whole issue as the political implications, even within the party, could be heavy. Time has also come for the Centre to take a call on the Telangana statehood issue. As the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament will come to a close on September 7, there is anticipation that the Centre will say a firm yes or no and end years of uncertainty.
PTI