A day ahead of the Centre taking a decision on whether President’s Rule should be imposed in the State in the wake of the resignation of Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana was summoned to Delhi for further consultations.
There is mounting pressure on the high command against President’s rule from Congress leaders from both Telangana and Seemandhra regions. Against this background, the PCC chief rushed to Delhi on Sunday while Deputy Chief Minister C. Damodar Raj Narasimha has been asked to stay put in the national capital.
According to sources close to the PCC chief, the high command elders wanted a factual report on the impact of Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s resignation. They reportedly made preliminary enquiries about the number of legislators likely to back him, in the event of a new party being launched. Internal assessment by the PCC has put the number of Ministers and MLAs likely to go with him at less than 20.
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In such a scenario, the party high command, sources say may pitch for a new government.
Exercise was also to identify a leader, who was acceptable to both regions. Once they are convinced that an attempt could be made to install a popular Government in the State, it may drop the idea of President’s Rule. Congress leaders are firm that the State should not be under President’s Rule when it could enjoy the fruits of division in at least Telangana as the party may face a drubbing in Seemandhra.
A top state Congress functionary said efforts were on to convince the Telangana and Seemandhra Congress leaders to back a suitable candidate for the Chief Minister’s post. Some Telangana Congress leaders, including Mr. Damodar Raj Narasimha, have been sounded about being in the race for the top post.
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