The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Congress leaders chant unity mantra

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Congress leaders chant unity mantra

Senior leaders go all out to impress upon cadre the need for unity and coordination

D. Srinivas assumes charge as PCC chief amid much fanfare
CM reiterates faith in the leadership of new APCC president

Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

TOP GUNS: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, APCC chief D. Srinivas and CWC member G. Venkataswamy at the public meeting at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Thursday.

HYDERABAD: In a rare display of unity, Congress leaders descended in large numbers on Prakasam Hall in Gandhi Bhavan to felicitate newly-appointed APCC president D. Srinivas on Thursday.

Allaying the fears of the party cadre, they asserted, in an apparent reference to the party proposed to be set up by film star Chiranjeevi, that the emergence of new parties in the State would not impact the fortunes of the Congress in the next general elections.

Senior leaders went all out to impress upon the cadre the need to stay united and work in close coordination to ensure that the party retained power in the next Assembly elections with improved majority.

Seniors’ appeal

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Congress Working Committee member G. Venkataswamy, former Chief Minister Nadendla Bhaskara Rao and former PCC chief K. Keshava Rao underscored the need for unity.

Amid drumbeats and fanfare, bursting of crackers and distribution of sweets, Mr. Srinivas assumed charge as the PCC chief in the presence of Dr. Reddy and several Ministers.

The Chief Minister said that the party would improve its tally in the next election at least by 20 per cent. “We will work with perfect coordination and I have immense faith in the leadership of Mr. Srinivas,” he remarked.

Mr. Venkataswamy said he broke his silence and came personally to bless Mr. Srinivas.

“I hope he will take the Telangana and Andhra leaders into confidence to retain power in the State,” he said.

Poll slogans

While in-charge president G.S. Rao said the combination of Dr. Reddy and Mr. Srinivas would leave a lasting impression among the cadres, Dr. Keshava Rao stated that unity and development was the slogan for the next elections.

Responding to the felicitations, Mr. Srinivas said unity alone would ensure that the party flourished in the State. “I have no doubt that the tremendous development undertaken in the State in the last four years will bring back the party to power,” he said and added that more people should be enrolled into the party.

Submits resignation

Mr. Srinivas submitted his resignation letter to the Chief Minister on Thursday consequent upon his appointment as Pradesh Congress President.

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