HYDERABAD: With Thursday being the last day for withdrawing nominations, Congress leadership is fighting the clock to convince its rebels to not sabotage its campaign. Senior leaders in the party such as TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy and AICC Telangana in-charge RC Khuntia are in discussions with numerous dissenting and dissatisfied leaders to withdraw their candidature, come back to the party fold and work for a united Grand Alliance. AICC heavyweight Veerappa Moily, Puducherry CM Narayanasamy and Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar have been entrusted with soothing the rebels.
The rebellion
Ever since the Grand Alliance between Congress, TDP, TJS and CPI was announced, it was clear that one if its biggest challenges would be to accommodate each other while keeping dissatisfaction at a minimum. Some Congress leaders, angry with tickets for their home constituencies being given to their allies, have filed their nominations as Independents. Others have switched to parties that have assured them a ticket. When the dust cleared on Monday, the last day for filing nominations, as many as 15 to 20 constituencies had major leaders from the same party pitted against each other.
As of Tuesday evening, some leaders such as P Karthik Reddy (Rajendranagar), Rohin Reddy (Khairatabad), and former minister Shanker Rao (Shadnagar) have agreed to withdraw their papers. Others such as Shiva Kumar Reddy (Narayanpet), Patel Ramesh Reddy (Suryapet) and Bhikshapathi Yadav (Serilingampally) are in no mood to relent.
“We have already spoken to several rebel leaders and have successfully convinced them to withdraw their nominations. They will now work for the party’s victory. We are in talks with other such leaders and I am sure we will convince them to withdraw their nominations by Thursday,” said RC Khuntia, speaking to Express.
TPCC cracks down on Kyama Mallesh
The party on Tuesday also made it clear that while it would sooth upset and disappointed leaders, it would deal with dissidents in a strict way as they could ‘harm the party’. TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy removed dissident leader Kyama Mallesh from his current post as Rangareddy DCC president for ‘making statements against the party.’
Before removing Mallesh from his post, TPCC issued him a show cause notice. Responding to the notice, Kyama Mallesh said, “I have not said anything against the Gandhi family. No action has been taken on Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy for speaking against Khuntia or against Karthik Reddy for attacking the party office. I have been sent a notice since I am a BC.”
Chada Venkat Reddy heaves a sigh of relief
CPI State secretary on Tuesday heaved a sigh of relief as Congress rebel Algireddy Praveen Reddy’s nomination a a candidate for Husnabad Assembly constituency was rejected by the Election Commission. As part of the seat-sharing agreement between Grand Alliance parties, the seat was allotted to CPI, but an angry Praveen Reddy filed his papers nonetheless. However, his candidature was rejected on the basis that he did not submit a B-form. The CPI State secretary had lobbied intensively to get Husnabad himself. After hectic parlays, Congress agreed to let Husnabad go