The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Congress MLA threatens to quit

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Thursday, Nov 27, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Congress MLA threatens to quit

Alleges protocol violation at the inaugural of Gundlakamma irrigation project

Dara Sambaiah levels serious charges against two of his party legislators
Alleges that DCC chief and Ongole MLA are sitting over some of his proposals

HYDERABAD: Santhanuthalapadu legislator Dara Sambaiah has hinted at resigning from Assembly membership as well as the Congress.

He contended here on Wednesday that he was “humiliated” at the inauguration of Gundlakamma irrigation project which was inaugurated in Prakasam district by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Mr. Sambaiah created a flutter in the party by levelling serious charges against two of his party legislators – Balineni Srinivasa Reddy and Pothula Rama Rao, who is also the District Congress Committee president.

To consult followers

He charged that district in-charge Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao, presided over the function, when the opportunity to do so should have been given to the local legislator (Mr. Sambaiah himself).

“This has caused me great deal of frustration and distress. I will not hesitate to resign as an MLA after consulting my followers if justice is not done to me,” he said.

Mr. Srinivasa Reddy is interfering in the day-to-day affairs of my constituency, preventing me from functioning independently,” he said. He alleged that the DCC chief and the Ongole MLA were sitting over his proposals to appoint mandal party office-bearers. Mr. Reddy, however, denied these charges and said Mr. Sambaiah was making an issue out, as he had lost all following in his constituency.

Differences

Ongole Special Correspondent adds:

Mr Sambaiah’s threat to resign has given a jolt to the Congress leaders and brought to fore the simmering differences in the district.

At the inauguration of Gundlakamma project, the Minister asked Mr Sambaiah to cut short his welcome address but the latter continued his speech. Mr Sambaiah, who was feeling insecure about getting party ticket to contest from Santanuthalapadu again, felt piqued and decided to quit.

After his election, he nursed a fear that the then DCC chief G. V. Seshu would stake his claim for the seat in 2009.

‘Conspiracy’

He alleged that the trio was hatching a conspiracy to deny him party ticket in the ensuing elections.

At a press conference, Mr Seshu alleged that Mr. Sambaiah had antagonised his own group in Chimakurthi mandal and fomented trouble in the party.

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