There is growing resentment in the ruling party over the manner in which Ministers and party seniors are courting one controversy after the another and causing embarrassment to the government.
The latest episode involving Labour Minister Danam Nagender’s action in locking up the gates of a temple in Banjara Hills and justifying his conduct has put the government and the Congress party on the back foot, according to party leaders.
Recently, Minister for Minor Irrigation T.G. Venkatesh raised the hackles by attacking civil servants for not showing commitment to work. This disparaging comment triggered angry reaction with IAS officers association lodging a complaint with Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Minister K. Parthasarathy is facing the heat following his conviction by a Court in connection with FERA violation case.
PCC president and Transport Minister Botcha Satyanarayana found himself embroiled in the liquor syndicate issue when accusations were made about his family’s interest in the business. Another Minister faced serious allegations of trying to help former Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy in the ‘cash-for-bail’ scam.
The only time the leadership cracked the whip was against Handlooms Minister P. Shankar Rao, who lost his post because of his frequent outbursts against the leadership. After criticising the Government, the Health Minister D. L. Ravindra Reddy is now maintaining a low profile. Leaders blame the lackadaisical attitude of the leadership in dealing with such issues. They felt that lack of strong leadership and failure of those at the helm of affairs led to such incidents. Some leaders were accused of pursuing personal agenda.
There was growing concern at the tendency of leaders to give caste angle to the controversies. They cite how the arrest of Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao was projected as targeting the Backward Classes while sparing the other castes in connection with the 26 GO’s case. Providing legal aid to the six Ministers named in the CBI case against Jaganmohan Reddy is also being faulted.
Former Minister Gade Venkat Reddy said controversial statements caused immense damage to the party. “The Chief Minister should control the situation and bring order.”
Government Whip Rudraraju Padmaraju said: When the party is facing one problem or the other, such unfortunate incidents deal a blow to the government’s image.
Leaders like Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao backed Mr. Nagender saying that a probe would establish, who was at fault.
