HYDERABAD: TPCC leadership was at the receiving end of the stick on Thursday when former minister DK Aruna criticised him by expressing unhappiness over the manner in which leaders like Nagam Janardhan Reddy and A Revanth Reddy were inducted into the party without convincing the local leaders in their respective constituencies. Aruna, whose close aide and MLC K Damodar Reddy had recently shifted loyalties to TRS as he was unhappy with the induction of Nagam into party in Nagarkurnool segment, reportedly hurled fireworks at TPCC leadership for not “taking her into confidence”, while admitting leaders belonging to other parties in the erstwhile united Mahbubnagar district, to which she belongs.
During the emergency meeting of TPCC executive at Gandhi Bhavan on Wednesday, according to sources, Aruna said: “I am not against induction of leaders belonging to other parties into Congress. My only argument is that before admitting such leaders in party in any constituency, local Congress leaders should be informed and also party State leadership should convince the local leaders.”
Even as other leaders including AICC secretary RC Khuntia, who were taking part in the meeting, were silently watching her, Aruna, according to sources, continued her attack saying that Nagam Janardhan Reddy’s issue was a classic example for this. “I asked TPCC leadership first to convince local MLC Damodar Reddy, before inducting Nagam. In spite of my suggestions, Nagam was taken to Delhi and was admitted to party. Why was he hurriedly inducted? Is it right? How can you insult old timers in the party by not convincing them? Further, when Damodar was joining TRS, no effort was made from TPCC to make him stay with the party,” she said.
According to sources, Aruna complained that former Union minister S Jaipal Reddy was trying to dictate terms in Mahbubnagar. Even TPCC leadership was paying heed to his views, she felt.“When TRS leader K Shiva Kumar Reddy, belonging to my native constituency Narayanpet, was ready to join Congress, TPCC leadership did not come forward to admit him into the party. Similarly, Jadcherla ex-MLA Erra Sekhar too expressed willingness to join the Congress.
But, State Congress leadership has not shown interest to induct these two leaders. Why is TPCC not allowing these leaders to join the party and why is it hurriedly inducting some others like Nagam?” she reportedly attacked.The meeting was organised to bring unity among warring factions in the party as on Wednesday a group of leaders led by Aruna, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Mallu Bhatti Viramarka petitioned to Rahul Gandhi in Delhi against the TPCC chief.
‘Uttam stays’
AICC State affairs in-charge RC Khuntia announced that Uttam Kumar Reddy will continue as TPCC chief till the 2019 polls. He said the party would go to the polls under the leadership of Uttam. He said party will not tolerate any sort of indiscipline among the leaders. On Thursday night, AICC high command appointed three assistants to Khuntia from Delhi