Former Minister K. Jana Reddy has been unanimously elected as Congress Legislature Party leader in Telangana Assembly, on Tuesday.
After two-hour long opinion-seeking exercise by AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, former Union Minister Vayalar Ravi, secretaries – R. C. Khuntia and Thirunavakkarasu, name of Mr. Jana Reddy was announced. A seven-time MLA, Mr. Reddy won from Nagarjunasagar Assembly constituency in Nalgonda district.
Twenty out of the 21 Congress MLAs attended the meeting barring Mudhole MLA Vithal Reddy, who could not make it due to personal reasons. Sources said Mr. Singh wanted voting to be held to elect the CLP leader, but former Minister J. Geetha Reddy was said to have pointed out that such a practice would create an impression that there was a split in the party.
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It may be mentioned here that Mr. Jana Reddy, TPCC working president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and D. K. Aruna were the serious contenders. Sources close to Ms. Aruna said that she was all for voting but reached Assembly late due to traffic congestion by which time it was decided that there would be no voting.
Then Mr. Singh and Mr. Ravi sat in a separate room and took the opinions of the MLAs. Briefing reporters later, Mr. Singh claimed all MLAs unanimously decided to support Mr. Jana Reddy. “We hope, he along with other Congress MLAs will work as effective and constructive opposition in the Telangana Assembly,” Mr. Singh said.