Making a determined bid to avoid any embarrassment to the government by ruling party legislators during the budget session of the legislature, APCC president D. Srinivas on Thursday held consultations with them and counselled Congress MLAs and MLCs to desist from any actions that would create problems. Plea
Apparently concerned over threats by the Telangana Congress legislators to boycott the budget session if the terms of reference of the Srikrishna Committee were against the interests of the region, Mr. Srinivas called a few legislators from the region for discussions.
Gandhi Bhavan meeting
Former Minister R. Damodar Reddy, Medak DCC chief and MLA Nandeeshwar Goud, MLCs K. Yadava Reddy, S. Indrasain Reddy, K. R. Amos and Jagadeeshwar Reddy attended a meeting at Gandhi Bhavan on Thursday evening.
Sources said the APCC chief took the initiative to ensure that the government did not face a tough time in the budget session with trouble from its own members. He is understood to have decided to utilise the next two-three days to interact extensively with senior legislators of all regions and appeal to them to extend full cooperation to the government.
Heavy price
“When the Union Government is serious about the statehood issue, there is no reason for leaders to make controversial statements,” he was quoted as telling party leaders.
The APCC president, according to party sources, was very firm in telling the legislators that they should not resort to any action that would invite the central leadership’s ire.
The APCC chief is said to have told them that if the budget session was disrupted the ruling party would pay a heavy price. “If the situation goes out of hands, the Chief Minister may even seek Governor’s nod to dissolve the House,” he reportedly warned the MLAs.
Keshava targeted
Meanwhile, APCC sources said Congress Working Committee member K. Keshava Rao drew flak for holding discussions with the TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao in the presence of a number of party leaders.
“Why should Congress leaders fall into his trap? KCR wants to use the Congress strength to exert pressure on the Centre on statehood issue,” the source remarked.
It is believed that the high command is annoyed with the conduct of Mr. Damodar Reddy who had met the AICC president Sonia Gandhi last month and assured her of all cooperation.
