Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, who had resigned from the Congress in protest against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, rejoined the party on Friday after meeting its president, Rahul Gandhi, at the latter's residence.
Soon after the meeting, the Congress organised a formal event at the party headquarters to welcome and felicitate Mr. Reddy and held a press conference.
The former Chief Minister said "unless there is a Congress government in Delhi, the Andhra Pradesh [Reorganization] Act cannot be implemented”.
"In spite of four years, the BJP government has failed to implement the special status category. An assurance given in the House is the will of the government, otherwise, people will lose confidence with Parliament," he told reporters.
Both the Central and State governments failed to honour the commitments made by the Manmohan Singh government. Whether it was the question of setting up 11 universities or creating a separate railway zone or the Pollavaram project, the promised have not been fufillled, he said.
Query on Telangana creation
When asked about his opposition to the creation of Telangana, Mr. Reddy offered a guarded response. "What has happened has happened. Now we have to see how we can help the Telugu people going forward,"he said.
Mr. Reddy pointed out that both he and his father had been four-term MLAs and thanked the party. "I am very happy to be coming back to the Congress family. With whatever little I can work for the party, I will make sure to strengthen Congress president Rahul Gandhi,"he said.
Welcoming him, Congress general secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh, Ommen Chandy, said the party would be strengthened with Mr. Reddy rejoining it.
Asked if he is looking at any party posts, Mr. Reddy said, "I have joined today as an ordinary worker. Let the leadership decided on those decisions."
