Discontent in the Congress ranks over the style of functioning of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy came to the fore when a section of party leaders complained to AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad that he was not taking them into confidence.
They were among the numerous leaders who met Mr. Azad at the Lake View Guest House during his maiden visit here after his appointment as AP affairs in-charge. The AICC leader is here to take stock of the situation in the light of the debacle suffered by the party in the by-elections to Kadapa Lok Sabha and Pulivendula Assembly constituencies.
APCC chief D. Srinivas, the Chief Minister, Ministers, MPs, MLCs, and senior leaders were among those who met Mr. Azad.
Separately, a delegation of Telangana Congress leaders, including Ministers, MPs, and MLAs called on Mr. Azad to urge the party leadership to take a speedy decision on the Statehood issue.
The visit came in handy for a section of leaders to air their grievances.
“Inaccessible”
While some were learnt to have expressed their dissatisfaction at not being included in the Cabinet in spite of their seniority, a few others complained that the Chief Minister was inaccessible and not very communicative.
Congress MLAs from Chittoor district G. Kutuhalamma and P. Ramachandra Reddy told Mr. Azad that people from the Chief Minister's native district, leave alone the State, were not happy at his elevation to the post.
Five-time MLA K. Rambhupal Reddy told reporters that preference was given in the Cabinet to those who joined the party recently over seniors who were serving the Congress for decades. “This does not augur well for the party,” he said.
A section of Mahila Congress and Youth Congress leaders from the twin cities and Ranga Reddy district complained that the government had not taken up any programme involving the party cadre since Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy took charge. The party would suffer if steps were not taken to retain the cadre.
Action sought
Some leaders sought stringent action against loyalists of YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.
