Seven Congress MPs from Telangana on Sunday called on Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to lobby for another term to Rajya Sabha member K. Keshava Rao.
Delegation of MPs
As the term of Dr. Rao comes to an end next month, party leaders from the region are firm that he be given an extension to avoid sending wrong signal to the people. Seven MPs – Ponnam Prabhakar, Madhu Yaskhi, Manda Jagannath, Gutha Sukhender Reddy, S.Rajaiah, G. Vivekananda and P.Balram Naik met the Chief Minister.
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While the MPs maintained that they had met the Chief Minister to discuss pending projects and others issues relating to their region, it is understood that they were determined that the party leadership should renew Dr. Rao's tenure by another term. Their meeting with the Chief Minister assumes significance amid reports that Dr. Rao was unlikely to get an extension because of his aggressive pro-Telangana stand including resigning his seat from the Rajya Sabha.
However, after the meeting, sources said the MPs were concerned whether their lobbying for Dr. Rao could be interpreted in a different manner. Sources said the MPs were afraid that on one side they were repeatedly claiming that elected posts were not their priority while fighting for a separate State.
It is also understood that the MPs discussed the prospects of the party in the by-election wondering whether they would win any seat. The Chief Minister is said to have exuded confidence of performing well in Kovur and Mahabubnagar constituencies.
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During the meeting, Warangal MP Rajaiah sought to know the fate of Kanthalapalli project to which the Chief Minister said the Central Water Commission had accorded permission. Peddapalli MP G. Vivekananda complained about the diversion of funds allocated under the SC sub-plan. Some MPs wanted the Centre to link the MGNREGS work with the MPLAD funds. They also requested the Chief Minister to write a letter to the Prime Minister seeking Central assistance for the zero interest loans to the self help groups.
The MPs are leaving for New Delhi on Monday morning to attend the Budget session of the Parliament.