The Hindu : Front Page : TRS plunges into trouble again

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Saturday, Nov 05, 2005

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TRS plunges into trouble again

Special Correspondent

Four party MLAs criticise Chandrasekhara Rao's style of functioning

M. Satyanarayana Reddy

HYDERABAD: Trouble is brewing afresh in the Telangana Rashtra Samiti with four party MLAs from Warangal district dashing off an open letter on Friday making critical references to party president K. Chandrasekhara Rao's style of functioning.

In their two-page letter, the MLAs and two other leaders accused the leadership of "resorting to political witch hunting" against all those who had questioned "unilateral decisions" such as the recent re-constitution of the State executive and the expulsion of senior party leader S. Santosh Reddy.

Pat for Narendra

They held that these decisions had created confusion in the minds of people and cadres. A notable feature of their letter was the appreciation of the efforts of Union Minister A. Narendra at resolving the party crisis and criticism of those had found faulted his actions. The letter was signed by Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy (Hanamkonda), D. Srinivasa Rao (Chennur), K. Laxma Reddy (Narsampet) and Bandaru Sara Rani (Parkal), all MLAs, Kola Janardhan and R. Amarender Reddy, both State secretaries.

Their criticism comes close on the heels of Mr. Santosh Reddy's rebellion and outburst of T. Jayaprakash Reddy, TRS MLA from Sangareddy, against the party chief and his nephew, T. Harish Rao. Only a few hours earlier, Mr. Narendra had succeeded in pacifying Mr. Jayaprakash Reddy after an hour-long meeting in Sangareddy. Significantly, he admitted that some party MLAs were indeed unhappy with the interference of Mr. Rao's nephews in party matters.

Not joining Congress

Denying reports that they were planning to join the Congress, the Warangal leaders made it clear that they would not hesitate to join hands with like-minded people to achieve separate Telangana.

The MLAs questioned the need to abolish the party's district units even while constituting the State executive. They wondered how district convenors would coordinate party activities at the district level without a full-fledged body. Neither MLAs nor party seniors were consulted before the committee was constituted.

Stating that the leadership had become "intolerant" ever since Mr. Santosh Reddy raised the banner of revolt, they pointed out that even as Mr. Narendra was trying for trying for a patch-up, some TRS leaders were openly criticising him. "All committed party workers are under tremendous pressure after being branded betrayers for questioning the undemocratic and feudal tendencies of the leadership," they added.

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