An attempt by the YSR Congress Party to consolidate its position in at least five Assembly constituencies in Nalgonda district is said to be the cause for strong reaction of Congress Ministers — K. Jana Reddy and N. Uttam Kumar Reddy — to the visit of party honorary president Y.S. Vijayamma on Thursday.
The senior Ministers, known to be soft spoken and for steering clear of controversies, gave a call to obstruct Ms. Vijayamma’s tour to rain-affected mandals of Nalgonda district on the ground that her party had taken a ‘U’ turn on the statehood issue.
But, the real cause for their call is the systematic bid by YSR Congress leadership to strengthen its base in Huzurnagar, Kodad, Miryalaguda and Nagarjunasagar Assembly constituencies. Mr. Jana Reddy and Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy represent the Nagarjunasagar and Huzurnagar constituencies respectively.
Congress sources say the four constituencies have sizable population of people who have migrated from Andhra because of abundant water resources and fertile lands.
While Huzurnagar and Kodad are close to Krishna district, Nagarjunasagar abuts Macherla in Guntur district.
YSR Congress leaders claim that Dr. Srikant Reddy is able to increase his support base in Huzurnagar constituency while there are two to three aspirants in Kodad, Miryalaguda and Nagarjunasagar where YSR Congress may field candidates. It is said that Mr. Jana Reddy and Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy, both aspirants for the Chief Minister’s post once the State is divided, do not want the YSR Congress to spoil their chances. Mr. Jana Reddy on Friday justified the protests against Ms. Vijayamma’s tour. He said as responsible Telangana leaders they wanted to protest against those who were opposing State division and Telangana formation.
The YSRC had gone back on its word after extending its letter of support to Telangana. Hence, people had confronted them democratically, he said.
