What happens with Chiranjeevi joining D-gang?

It seems Union Minister of State for Tourism Chiranjeevi too had fully well-versed with the Congress culture of internal democracy.

Reports of dissident ministers and leaders meeting Chiranjeevi are giving enough evidence for the argument. Two ministers Anam Ramanarayana Reddy and N Raghuveera Reddy headed by PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana had a dinner politics at the residence of Chiranjeevi on Tuesday. Interestingly, the two ministers met the PCC chief at his residence in the morning and all of them had confabulations with Chiranjeevi in the evening giving a chance for speculations.  

Why Chiranjeevi entertained dissident group (D-group) is a vocal point in the Congress circles now. Has Chinrajeevi  any grievances with Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy? Angered by power tariff hike by Kiran Reddy in April without consulting Coordination Committee, Chiranjeevi dashed a letter to AICC leader and in-charge of AP affairs Gulam Nabi Azad expressing his resent over the way the Chief Minister had taken a decision which would burden the people heavily. 

Chiru had maintained good relations with Kiran Reddy even after he assumed the office as Union Minister in November, 2012. He shared dais with him on several occasions in various parts of the State. Known as a close associate of the PCC chief Botsa, Chiranjeevi seems to be succumbing to the pressure from the dissident group. A former colleague of his erstwhile PRP and present minister for Endowments C Ramachandraiah’s recent utterance that Chiranjeevi is the right choice for Chief Minister post sent shock waves among the Kiran supporters. Interestingly, Minister Raghuveera Reddy, who distanced himself from Kiran Reddy voiced his support to Chiru saying that there is nothing wrong in Chiru’s wish to become the CM.

The sequel of incidents in the Congress party bewildered the Congress activists especially the supporters of  Kiran Reddy. None of the Kiran loyalists made no statements on the recent developments condemning the comments. However, Union Minister Killi Kriparani backed Kiran Reddy and said he can tackle the minor differences. She said there are no differences in the party and they are just difference of opinions. 

PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana will reach Delhi tonight and his mission appears to be a Kiran replacement with support of Chiranjeevi. He had already sent a report on the growing dissidence against the Chief Minister to Azad over his unilateral decisions. So far, Kiran loyalists made no comment on the developments and they however, reportedly advised him to make a proposal before the party high command for cabinet reshuffle. 

As it was the appropriate time to do it as the Congress leaders in Delhi in Jubilant mood with victory in Karnataka assembly polls. The Congress-ruled states now reached 14, while BJP came down to 4. The Congress high command is thinking of adopting the same strategy as is done in Karnataka to retain power in the State. Kiran loyalists are seemingly confident as there would not be any change of guard as assumed by the D-group. “It would have been done earlier to replace Kiran as this is not the right time. Some leaders are on wrong notion and making unnecessary efforts for selfish political gains,” a loyalist of Kiran said. 

However, the Kiran’s rival group is hopeful of some possible decisions from the party high command this time. The dissident leaders brought a new argument to the fore that there was nearly one year for elections in the State. The government could do better to reach the people if it deployed a new team in place of Kiran Kumar Reddy. Since both the groups geared up to hold camps in Delhi, Congress leaders are waiting anxiously to watch the developments.

-Sagar@sakshipost.com