The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR next CM, says Congress leader

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 28, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR next CM, says Congress leader

By Our Staff Reporter

ELURU, APRIL 27. K.S. Rao, the Congress candidate for the Eluru Lok Sabha constituency, on Tuesday sought to project the former CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, as next Chief Minister of the Congress-led government in the State.

Addressing a thanks-giving media conference on the wrap-up of the second phase polling, Mr Rao said the formation of a Congress-led government in the State was quite certain, given the `vengeance' with which the people cast their vote against the TDP regime.

Flanked by party candidates for the seven Assembly segments in the Eluru Lok Sabha constituency, he exuded confidence that Mr Reddy would become an obvious choice for the Chief Minister's post.

He said his attempts of projecting Mr YSR did not amount to undermining the Congress Legislature Party which was the competent authority in the Congress to decide upon the candidate. Instead, he said, "Mr Reddy is an able leader in the Congress with all the prerequisites required for a person to become Chief Minister.'' Mr YSR worked hard in galvanising the party machinery and in regaining people's confidence in favour of the party. The party candidate for Ungutur, Vatti Vasanta Kumar, who secured the party ticket with the blessings of the former CLP leader, also endorsed the views of Mr Rao.

Recalling the party's main election promise of free power for agriculture, Mr Rao said its implementation was not at all a problem for the party since it was the brain child of Mr Rajasekhar Reddy who in all likelihood would lead the Congress government in the State. Mr Rao said he would exert pressure on the State and Union Governments in reviving the rural economy in parts of West Godavari and Krishna districts located at the tail-end of the Krishna river which was in a shambles following the failure of paddy and aqua culture for want of water. Drawl of the Godavari water was the only solution for the problem, he said.

`Bright performance'

Our Special Correspondent in Hyderabad writes:

The Congress Working Committee member, B. Sarojini Pulla Reddy, said here on Tuesday Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy had played a crucial role in the party's "bright performance' in the elections. She said people's wish would be honoured in the selection of the Chief Minister, though it was the prerogative of the elected legislators of the party.

Dr.Reddy's 1,500-km padayatra during last summer and his recent 5,000-km `jaitra yatra' had helped the party regain its position in the State. Projecting a 200-figure for the party in the Assembly elections, she said. There was no need for any debate on CM-candidate as "everyone was aware who it would be".

She hailed Sonia Gandhi's leadership qualities and said people had always risen to support the Congress at times of crisis. She praised the officials for maintaining neutrality during the polls.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh