The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR showers praise on Penumatsa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 18, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR showers praise on Penumatsa

Staff Reporter

VIZIANAGARAM: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has expressed his regrets for not accommodating Penumatsa Sambasiva Raju, senior Congress leader and MLA from Sathivada constituency, in his Cabinet due to “political compulsions.”

Addressing a largely attended gathering on the sprawling football grounds at Nellimarla, the newly formed Assembly constituency, where Minister for Housing Botcha Satyanarayana arranged a felicitation programme for Mr. Raju on the occasion of the latter’s 76th birthday celebrations, on Sunday, the Chief Minister said that the senior Congress leader, who was elected nine times to the Assembly, must have been honoured with a berth in the Cabinet.

“But, caste and community factors have played a crucial role. Moreover, there is no vacancy,” he said, and added: “I have decided to send him to the Rajya Sabha after pressure from Mr. Satyanarayana but could not do so for various reasons,” the Chief Minister said.

“He has been kept back with a view to utilising his services for the State in future. He is a man to be emulated,” Dr. Reddy felt.

Earlier, the Chief Minister felicitated the septuagenarian, offered him cake, presented him a citation and released a souvenir on Mr. Raju’s 50-year stint in politics.

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

Andhra Pradesh