TRS scrambles to keep its flock together

Worried over further desertions, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti got into the trouble shooting mode on Wednesday when it convened a meeting of all party MPs and MLAs at the farmhouse of party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao at Venkatapur in Jagadevpur mandal in Medak district.

The meeting was held in the background of Medak MP Vijayashanti and two former Ministers -- G. Vijayarama Rao and A. Chandrasekhar -- shifting loyalties to the Congress and reports of some MLAs quitting the TRS, a senior leader, who attended, said.

Agitation reviewed

The meeting reviewed the agitation in coastal and Rayalaseema districts and decided to wait for a few days to chalk out the course of action. The indefinite fast planned by YSR Congress honorary president Vijayamma also came up for discussion.

The meeting reportedly discussed the prevailing situation in the State, including the Congress trying to get the entire credit for the formation of separate State, luring party leaders into its fold and the ongoing Samaikyandhra agitation. According to sources, Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao tried to instil confidence among party leaders which was rattled after the exit of three senior leaders.

Two important leaders Manda Jagannatham and G. Vivek, who recently crossed over to the TRS from the Congress, were absent at the meeting. Though it was stated that they took the permission of the party to attend the Parliament session in view of the introduction of the Food Security Bill, their real intention was not clear.

Senior leaders K. Keshava Rao, B. Vinod Kumar and Kadiam Srihari were present.