Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday said that defection of Congress leaders to opposition parties in the State will not weaken either his government or the party.
The organisation of Congress is strong enough to rejuvenate itself and bounce back with renewed vigour whenever such developments take place, he felt.
Mr. Reddy who will complete two years in office on Sunday, told reporters that neither his government nor the party were perturbed by stray defections into YSR Congress (YSRC) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). Such occasions would provide opportunity to the waiting stock and young blood in the party and they were strong enough to fill the void.
“It’s like old water getting washed away whenever rain comes. It brings new water along with new zeal and hope”, Mr. Reddy said comparing the issue of defections with rainwater.
The Congress had seen worst of the situations, including over 150 legislators including the Chief Minister defecting out in 1977.
“Yet, the Congress come back to power in the next election”, he said.
Every time elections were held, the Assembly would see 150 new faces. Besides, the Congress had the backing of a slew of welfare and development measures implemented since 2004. “Welfare schemes are crucial to voters for taking a decision”, Mr. Reddy noted.
Troubled legacy
Asked to comment on frequent reports that he would be replaced, Mr. Reddy said it was all creation of the media and there was no such thinking in the Congress leadership. Asked for the self-appraisal of his two-year rule, Mr. Reddy said it was for the people and media to rate his performance. However, he would say with all conviction that the situation had improved to a large extent in all aspects during the period.
He admitted that he had inherited a troubled legacy in November 2010 with the State caught in Telangana quagmire and financial situation in total mess.
However, he was successful in bringing the situation back on tracks. His government would strive for improving the delivery mechanism and completion of projects during the next 18 months, the Chief Minister said explaining his plans.
Sensitive issue
On Telangana, the Chief Minister stated that the Centre was making all efforts to resolve a sensitive and sentimental issue which was lingering on for decades.
‘No certificate required’
Reacting to Majlis’ dubbing him as “communal” Mr. Reddy said he did not require a certificate from a party, which was limited to only a part of Hyderabad.
On the padayatras of TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and YSRC leader Y.S. Sharmila, he said everyone had right to address and convince people in a democracy.
