The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Exodus from TRS into Congress

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 14, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Exodus from TRS into Congress

Special Correspondent

Kith and kin of four rebel MLAs, with supporters, change camp

NEW STRENGTH: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in the backdrop as kith and kin of rebel TRS MLAs who joined Congress mix with their new colleagues in the forefront. - Photo: K. Ramesh Babu

HYDERABAD: The dissident activity in the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) assumed a new dimension on Saturday as the close kith and kin of four rebel party MLAs joined the Congress along with a large number of supporters.

They were admitted into the party by Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Keshava Rao in the presence of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, at the Gandhi Bhavan. The premises was packed with supporters of the rebel MLAs from Karimnagar, Warangal and Medak districts.

Among those admitted were the spouses of D. Srinivas Rao and T. Jayaprakash Reddy, MLAs of Chennur and Sangareddy respectively, daughter-in-law of Peddapally MLA G. Mukund Reddy, and son of Parkal MLA B. Shara Rani. Interestingly, none of the legislators was present at the ceremony.

It was on Monday last that Mr. Srinivas Rao, Mr. Mukund Reddy and Ms. Shara Rani called on the APCC chief at his residence to discuss the admission of their followers into the Congress. The legislators had made it clear that their supporters were keen on joining the Congress and they were in no position to stop them.

Ex gratia announced

A shadow was cast on the event as 12 party supporters from Peddapally, who were heading to Gandhi Bhavan, were killed in a road accident near Pregnapur in Medak district. Dr. Keshava Rao announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakhs each on behalf of Congress to their families. The party would also bear the expenditure for treatment of the injured.

He told the gathering that he was given the names of 10,000 TRS activists who joined the Congress on the occasion.

Telangana issue

Welcoming the crowd, the Chief Minister said the decision on separate Telangana was left to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

The Government had decided to develop the region by improving irrigation facilities and setting up industries until the decision was made.

Dr. Reddy said backward areas of Telangana could match the development of the delta region if the Godavari was utilised properly.

No matter the expenditure involved, the Government was committed to developing them.

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