After some MLAs passed comments that they would not even spare Congress president Sonia Gandhi or Prime Minister Manmohan Singh if government schemes are not properly implemented, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah on Sunday told the partymen not to violate discipline.
“There is no problem if I am the object of their criticism. If it goes to the extent of saying that we will not spare Sonia Gandhiji and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it is very sad. My appeal to all such friends is that the party discipline should be protected,” he told reporters here.
“We have a great and unique leadership in the form of Sonia Gandhiji and Manmohan Singh. We should respect our leadership. If there is any problem, we can discuss that in party fora,” Rosaiah told the partymen.
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His directives came in the wake of three MLAs from Kadapa district, all considered loyalists of late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, saying that they have a right to point out errors even if they were committed by Sonia Gandhi or Manmohan Singh.
“We have the right to point out if Sonia Gandhi or Dr. Manmohan Singh makes error. At the same time, they also have the freedom to tell us if we do something wrong,” Adinarayana Reddy, Congress legislator from Jammalamadugu and two other MLAs said.
Senior Congress MLA J.C. Diwakar Reddy and some others had remarked that there is a need to take a re-look at the welfare schemes like loans at three per cent interest and students’ fees reimbursement, launched by late Rajasekhara Reddy, in view of the huge costs involved.
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Rosaiah replied in the negative when asked if he would complain to Sonia Gandhi (about their statement) during his visit to Delhi starting tonight.
Replying to a query, he said the government is committed to implement all the welfare schemes that are currently on, though there are financial difficulties.
He, however, said the government would try to ensure that the schemes are implemented in a fool-proof manner so that only genuine people are benefited from them.
When pointed out that State Congress president D. Srinivas had also made similar appeals to Congressmen not to make comments that hurt the party, Rosaiah said the PCC chief would take care of organisational affairs.
During his Delhi visit Rosaiah is expected to discuss the selection of candidates for the four Rajya Sabha seats the Congress can win in the coming polls among other issues.
The Chief Minister said he would submit a report to the Centre on the damages caused by cyclone ‘Laila’ and the final assessment of the damage is still being assessed as officials are busy with relief work.