The rank and file of the Congress in the city is closely watching the developments in the David and Goliath row between PCC secretary Kolanukonda Sivaji and Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal.
The group supporting the MP is in a state of elation with the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) serving a show-cause notice on the PCC secretary.
Mr. Sivaji has been summoned to Hyderabad to depose before the party's Disciplinary Committee headed by Kantheti Satyanarayana Raju on January 6.
‘No axe to grind'
Mr. Sivaji, who is lobbying to garner support, is reportedly telling party leaders and cadres that he has no axe to grind and that he has been suggesting that the MP also highlight problems of his constituency in Parliament.
But, the issue flared up when a few city leaders demanded disciplinary action against Mr. Sivaji for making remarks against Mr. Rajagopal for speaking on issues related to Visakhapatnam. Their demand was construed as an attack on the backward classes (BCs) to which the PCC secretary was a representative.
Secondary Education Minister and BC leader Kolusu Parthasarathi and other senior party leaders in the district have not yet betrayed their loyalties to one side or the other.
A lot is possible in this regard before the weekend when Mr. Sivaji is scheduled to defend himself in front of the disciplinary committee. The party leadership cannot afford to be too harsh on Mr. Sivaji for fear of triggering a BC exodus from the party to either the TDP or the Y.S.R. Congress that have always been more sympathetic to the cause and leadership of the BCs.
