Andhra Pradesh - Karimnagar   

MSR blames it on `interference' factor

Staff Reporter

KARIMNAGAR: Minister for Sports and Culture, M Satyanarayana Rao has attributed the poor performance of the Congress party in the Karimnagar municipal corporation elections due to the interference by some district leaders in the selection of party candidates for the elections.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Monday, he said that in Karimnagar town, which is the district headquarters, some of the party leaders had interfered in the allocation of party tickets to their own candidates and caused dismal performance of the party in the elections. ``

I had not at all interfered in the selection of candidates anywhere in the district. In turn, I rejected the candidature of three of my community people in the town'', he pointed out and added that ``if I had ensured party ticket to them, they would have won''.

Asked about the dismal performance in spite of his hectic campaigning in his Karimnagar municipal corporation, he said some senior leaders were also defeated due to their `anti-incumbency' factor.

He also said that the Congress rebels were also responsible for the poor performance in the elections.

However, he said that the verdict was not against the Congress party or its performance. It is most unfortunate, he noted.

Development plank

He said that he had the credit of upgrading the Karimnagar municipal council into a corporation and securing funds to the tune of Rs 160 crore during the last 15 months.

"I had taken up several developmental works in the town and I dreamt of transforming the Karimnagar into a model city in the state, he noted.

``With what face should I go the Chief Minister, Y S Rajashekhar Reddy and secure additional funds for the development of Karimnagar town.

I cannot demand funds from the government. Even the Chief Minister would not respond positively as he had done earlier'', he regretted.

I appealed to the voters to elect the Congress to ensure further development of Karimnagar. But, they have given this kind of verdict", he said unenthusiastically.

However, he said that he would continue to do his job as the legislator and strive for the development of the Karimnagar assembly segment on all aspects.

He also exuded with confidence that they would retain the Karimnagar municipal mayor post with the support of MIM and independents.

However, he refused to disclose the candidate for the mayor post.

To a query on severing of ties with the TRS and its impact in the elections, he said that both the Congress and the TRS have lost in the elections following the breaking of ties.

However, the TRS was the main loser in the elections, he added.

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