The Puducherry unit of the Congress is not unduly perturbed over former Minister and Congress MLA from Yanam, Malladi Krishna (MK) Rao’s overtures towards the ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC).
Senior Congress leaders made it clear that such moves would not impact the growth of the party in the region.
On Tuesday, the Congress MLA in Yanam called upon the fishermen community to support the Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, in the forthcoming elections in 2016. He made this appeal at a function organised by Yanam Fishermen’s Welfare Association in presence of the Chief Minister, Ministers, MLAs and other functionaries of the AINRC.
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Projecting that Mr. Rangasamy would come to power as Chief Minister after 2016 Assembly elections, Mr. Rao has dropped indications that he could join the AINRC.
Reacting to the reports from Yanam, Pradesh Congress Committee president A.V. Subramanian told The Hindu , “We don’t want to attach any importance to his speech. His predictions always go wrong. This time also it will not be any different.”
Mr. Subramanian said, “He is allegedly eyeing the post of Rajya Sabha MP and also seeking an MLA post for his spouse from the ruling party. During the Congress regime, he became a Minister and enjoyed power all these years. Now if he is changing sides, it can only be out of ‘selfish motives.’”
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He categorically said that Mr. Rao’s exit, if it happened, would not weaken the party in anyway. Mr. Subramanian also expressed the hope that the high command would take action against Rajya Sabha MP at an appropriate time.
Mr. Rao was not available for comment.