No impact of dissident MLAs on Congress chances in LB polls: DS
Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas on Tuesday stated that he does not foresee any impact on the party’s chances in elections to the Local Bodies due to some of the Congress MLAs moving closely with the YSR Congress Party.
“The High Command will take action against these MLAs and by the time the Local Bodies’ elections are held, the picture on the ground will be clear. There will be no confusion among the party cadre and the Congress activists will work to ensure that the party nominees capture the Local Bodies,” Mr Srinivas told media persons at the Gandhi Bhavan.
He also stated that there is no connection between the separate Telangana statehood demand and elections to the Local Bodies and called upon party rank and file to get ready for the forthcoming polls.
Mr Srinivas added that the state government had been trying to increase the percentage of reservations to Backward Classes candidates and this has been the reason for not conducting the elections earlier. “The separate Telangana demand is not the reason behind the delay in conducting the elections to the Local Bodies,” Mr Srinivas stated.
Stating that the notification for the elections to Local Bodies would be issued soon, the PCC president directed the District Congress Committee presidents to gear up for the polls.
Mr Srinivas disclosed that the DCC presidents have been directed to hold consultations with local leaders ascertain the party’s strengths and weaknesses.
Based on the report given by DCCs presidents, the party would recommend steps for strengthening party at ground level, he stated.
“Action against the MLAs moving closely with Mr YS Jaganmohan Reddy would also be taken based on the reports submitted by the DCC president,” the PCC chief stated.
Stating the government is committed to implement 34 percent reservations for Backward Classes in the local body elections, Mr Srinivas said that the party was ready to face whatever legal hurdles come in its way.
Reiterating the Congress was not against formation of Telangana state, he said that the party had already made its stand clear and the Centre will take a decision on it soon after convening of all-party meeting.
“The Telangana issue is got delayed due to some regional problems” he said.
He also made it clear there is no connection between Telangana issue and conducting of local body elections, he stated.
Reacting on reports that Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu would introduce a no Confidence Motion against the government, Mr Srinivas said the Opposition has every right to do so. “We have no objection for utilizing their right. However, the Congress is ready to face no Confidence Motion at any time,” he stated.
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No impact of dissident MLAs on Congress chances in LB polls: DS
2011/4/21 18:25:06 Despite serving notices to its dissident MLAs it seems Congress party fails to stop migrations to YSR Congress party.
Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Sabbam Hari who until now seems to be in dilemma over his interest with YS.Jagan Mohan Reddy has finally swings towards him. He will be leaving for Kadapa on Friday along with two ex MLAs and a Congress corporater from Visakhapatnam city to campaign for YSR Congress party.
It would be a set back for Congress party which has just served notices to four of its dissident MLAs for supporting Jagan Mohan Reddy. As the elections are closing in, many more from Congress party are expected to come open supporting Jagan Mohan Reddy, which can be considered as YSRC’s strategy for the by-elections.
2011/8/24 8:03:48 Former Minister JC Diwakar Reddy predicted in case mid-term polls are held in the state following ongoing political uncertainty, then the Congress party would comfortably win more seats that it won in 2009 elections.
Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Diwakar Reddy said that the Congress was ready to face mid-terms term polls in the state. However, the possibility of mid-term polls are very less as there was no threat to continuance of Kiran Kumar Reddy Government. He said the resignation of 26 Congress MLAs in favour of Jagan Mohan Reddy would have no impact on the state politics in the longer run.
The former minister said that blackmailing was common and part of politics and therefore, the resignation by 29 pro-Jagan MLAs was one such move to halt the CBI probe. However, the move has failed to make an impact. He said that the Jagan Mohan Reddy was miscalculating his strengths. "It is not possible to win elections on sympathy every time. Even Jagan will not able to repeat the performance of last by-elections next time," he said.
Further, not all Congress MLAs who resigned for Jagan will be able to win elections on YSR's sympathy, Diwakar Reddy said adding that election results depend on the individual candidate's profile and also on their opponents. "Therefore, most of the MLAs who have resigned for Jagan Mohan Reddy might not enter the assembly next time," he said.
He also denied reports that YSR Congress party was trying to field his son against him in Tadipatri assembly segment which he represents now. He said he would re-contest from Tadipatri and would also win the same. (INN)
2008/4/17 14:41:50 The Telugu Desam Party chief Chandra Babu Naidu is very optimistic about the chances of the TDP in the ensuing by polls. He says that the fight would be mainly between the TRS and the TDP. The congress party is nowhere in the picture.
Babu is confident that the TDP will put up a good show in the by polls and surprise everyone. Babu reasons that both the TRS and the congress have taken the people for a ride by making false promises.
2011/8/23 2:08:26 Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh on Tuesday stated that the resignation of 26 Congress MLAs in favour of YSR Congress party president Jaganmohan Reddy, was a publicity stunt and they just wanted to attract media attention.
Talking to media persons at Emmanagur mandal in Kurnool district, Venkatesh said that the pro-Jagan Congress MLAs were trying to gain political mileage by submitting resignations to their elected posts and party primary membership in support of Jagan. However, he hoped that Speaker Nadendla Manohar would not accept the resignation and reject them similarly on the lines of Telangana Congress MLAs by terming them decision taken in `emotionally surcharged atmosphere’.
Venkatesh said even the MLAs knew that their resignation would be rejected, but still they submitted the letters to blackmail Kiran Kumar Reddy Government. He said there was no immediate threat to the government and Kiran kumar Reddy would continue his full term. If the resigned leaders go for by-polls, then their chances of getting re-elected are bleak and their number would come down, he stated. (INN)
2011/8/26 4:04:13 A day after accepting their resignation from the party's primary membership, the Congress party on Friday intensified efforts to ensure that the Speaker Nadendla Manohar accepts their resignations from the assembly membership.
Government Whip Kondru Murali on Friday met the Speaker N Manohar at his chambers requesting him to take severe action all 29 MLAs who have switched loyalties to the YSR Congress party. He informed the Speaker that the Congress party has already accepted the MLAs' resignation from the primary membership. Therefore, technically, 26 Congress MLAs are not the members of Congress Legislature Party anymore.
Kondru Murali's briefing appears to have clarified lot of things for the Speaker. The Congress tried to convince the Speaker that unlinke the Telangana MLAs whose resignations were rejected on the grounds that those who resigned were 'emotionally surcharged', these 29 rebels have lot of other reasons including 'political blackmail' that led them to sumbit their resignations.
Later talking to reporters, Murali said that the Congress was ready for by-polls in case the Speaker accepts the resignation of 29 MLAs. He said most of the MLAs who have resigned in favour of Jagan Mohan Reddy are now regretting their decision and wants to come back to the Congress party. He asked those rebel MLAs to meet the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy or PCC chief Botsa Narayana and they might reconsider taking them back into the Congress.
Specifically mentioning about the rebel MLAs - K Bharati and Krishna Das of Srikakulam district, Murali said both will lose their deposits. He said the Congress was fully prepared for by-polls which would be fought on the slogan of corruption. (INN)
2011/12/17 2:05:45 Handlooms and Textiles Minister Dr P Shankar Rao on Friday stated that the Congress leaders in the state should not oppose the decision taken by the Congress High Command of taking action against the 16 rebel MLAs who defied the party whip during the No Confidence Motion.
Talking to media persons at the Congress Legislature Party Office, Shankar Rao claimed that the Congress party was capable of winning the by-elections. He condemned the media reports which stated that the Congress was weak to fight the YSR Congress party in the constituencies which might go for by-polls. He expressed confidence that the Congress party would win all the constituencies with huge margins.
The Congress party would go to polls on the plank of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s leadership skills and the welfare schemes launched by the government for the benefit of poor and middle class, he stated.
However, he said it would be too premature to talk about the by-elections as the decision of disqualification of MLAs was still pending with Speaker Nadendla Manohar. (INN)
Congress will not win a single seat in by-polls: Ambati
2011/8/28 8:48:07 YSR Congress Party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu on Sunday claimed that the Congress party would not win a single seat in the by-polls that would be held after acceptance of resignations submitted by 26 Congress MLAs.
Talking to reporters, Ambati said he would quit politics if Congress wins even a single seat. He challenged the PCC President Botsa Satyanarayana to do the same if YSR Congress wins even a single seat in the by-polls. He said the Congress leaders were levelling baseless allegations of corruption against Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy to defame him and YSR family. He said the Congress leaders were resorting to revenge politics after Jagan quit the Congress party.
Ambati ridiculed the statements made by Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu against corruption. He said the entire state knew that Naidu amassed wealth illegally by favouring corporates during his tenure as the Chief Minister. If Naidu is really honest, then he must tell the CBI that it was he who allotted land to Emaar properties for the first time, he said.
The YSR Congress party spokesman also refuted the allegations that Jagan Mohan Reddy was indulging in horse-trading. He said the Congress MLAs have joined the Jagan camp out of their love for YSR and his family. Unlike many Congress leaders, the pro-Jagan MLAs feel indebted that it was YSR who brought back the Congress party to power for two consecutive terms. (INN)
2011/12/9 12:49:46 Minor Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh on Friday stated that all doors have been closed for those rebel MLAs who want to return to the Congress party.
Talking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan after attending Sonia Gandhi's birthday celebrations, Venkatesh said that the Jagan groups MLAs were making futile attempts to come back to the Congress party even after voting in favour of No Confidence Motion. He claimed that at least three MLAs have been making serious attempts to return to Congress party's fold. However, he said that the Congress party's doors have been shut for them permanently.
Stating that the party would initiate disciplinary action against 16 MLAs for the violation of whip, he said that the party would never spare anybody and their disqualification would send a strong message among other MLAs. He expressed confidence that the Congress party would win with huge margin of votes in the by-elections to be conducted in the constituencies presently represented by Jagan group MLAs. “The people of respective constituencies will teach a fitting lesson to rebel MLAs for switching the loyalties,” he said.
Venkatesh denied allegations that the Congress party tried to lure the dissident MLAs with money bags and posts and described the allegations as baseless and far from truth. He asked YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to proof the allegations of if he has any evidence. He alleged that both Telangana Rashtra Samithi and YS Congress party have together conspired to dethrone the Kiran Kumar Reddy Government. (INN)
2011/9/15 7:51:01 Congress MLAs G Ramana and Lingaiah on Thursday asked the party High Command to reconsider its decision to field a candidate in the Banswada by-elections.
Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party office, Ramana said that the Congress had a bad experience in the recently held by-elections in the Telangana. Therefore, the Congress must avoid repeat of last by-polls by not fielding its candidate from the Banswada seat. However, he said the Congress leaders would abide by whatever decision the High Command takes.
Further, Ramana said that the Congress' participation in the Banswada by-polls would send wrong signals in the entire Telangana region. Therefore, all Congress leaders from Telangana region should convince the High Command to reconsider its decision, he said. (INN)
2008/4/16 8:05:13 The election commission has finally drawn up the schedule for the by polls to the seats vacated by the TRS and for Khairatabad where the vacancy has been caused by the untimely death of PJR. The polls will be held on May 29. The nomination process will commence from March 2. The results will be announced on June 1.
So it is going to be a 'really hot' summer this year. The congress party and the TDP have only something to gain but nothing much to lose. The polls are an acid test for KCR as the onus of getting all the MLAs and MPs who resigned recently elected once again rests on him. There is a strong resistance to some of the candidates from within the party.
Congress will sweep by-polls against Jagan: Panabaka
2011/8/28 8:45:14 Union Minister of State for Handlooms and Textiles Panabaka Laxmi on Sunday stated that former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy would not have tolerated the allegations that his son and Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy had allegedly amassed wealth illegally.
Talking to media persons, Panabaka Laxmi said that YSR himself would have ordered a probe if he would have learnt about Jagan’s alleged accumulation of wealth through illegal methods using his official position.
Describing their move as blackmail, Panabaka Laxmi also took serious note on the 26 Congress MLAs owing allegiance to Jagan resigning from the posts. She found fault in MLAs supporting a person, against whom the Central Bureau of Investigation probe going on in connection with disproportionate assets case. The MLAs who were elected on the Congress ticket has no moral right to support Jagan, she said.
Stating that the resignation of rebel MLAs do not pose any threat to N Kiran Kumar Reddy government, she said that the state would not witness any mid-term elections, in near future. She expressed confidence that the Congress candidates would win with huge majority in the event of by-polls in the state. (INN)
2011/10/30 5:37:10 The Congress party on Sunday took light of the resignations of three MLAs - Jupally Krishna Rao, T Rajaiah and S Satyanarayana - and said that their exit would not have any impact of the party in the Telangana region.
Talking to reporters, PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana said that the MLAs resignations were not linked to the Telangana issue. He said that the MLAs should have spoken to the party leadership if they were really serious about the Telangana statehood. However, the MLAs resigned from the party without even consulting anyone.
Botsa ridiculed the Telangana MLAs claim that their resignations from the Congress party would mount pressure on the Centre to take an early decision on the Telangana statehood issue. He said that the resignations were aimed at selfish gains.
Refusing to elaborate further, the PCC president said that the party would discuss the matter before making further comments.
Meanwhile, Telangana Congress Steering Committee convenor K Keshav Rao regretted that the MLAs had to quit the party. He said the party leadership should take measures to ensure that other MLAs and leaders do not follow the suit. (INN)
Cong must act against dissident MLAs, will introduce No Trust: Babu
2011/6/14 2:51:16 Reiterating that his party was ready to introduce No Confidence Motion against the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy government anytime for its failure on farmers’ issues, Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday challenged the Congress party to take disciplinary action against the Legislators supporting YSR Congress Party president YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
Talking to media persons after launching the two-day workshop `Medho Madana Sadasu’ at NTR Trust Bhavan, Mr Naidu dared the Congress to face the No Trust Motion after taking action against the dissident MLAs.
He also challenged Mr Jaganmohan Reddy to parade the MLAs supporting him before the Governor, to prove his strength instead of issuing hollow statements.
Mr Naidu’s statement comes a day after the Praja Rajyam Party was given the clearance by the Election Commission to merge with the Congress party, and the ruling party’s strength, on paper at least, has shot up to over 170 MLAs in the 294 Member House.
Mr Naidu also criticized PRP president K Chiranjeevi for cheating the people of the state which elected 18 of his party candidates on the plank of social justice, for merging his party with the Congress.
TDP chief also demanded that All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi reply on the corruption allegations leveled by Congress MP Harsh Kumar against Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana.
Besides this, Mr Naidu said that it was up to the Centre to take a final decision on the Telangana statehood demand as the TDP had already made its stand clear on the issue ‘long ago.’
He asked the people of the region to question why the Congress resorting to delaying tactics on Telangana and why was the TRS and the ruling party targeting the TDP on the separate statehood issue even as they do not have the moral right.
Mr Naidu further said that the TDP was ready to discuss development on Telangana under various governments at any place.
The meeting was attended by prominent party leaders including Telangana Forum Convener Errabelli Dayakar Rao, senior leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Nandamuri Harikrishna, MPs, MLAs, politburo members and district in-charges.(INN)
2011/4/21 3:09:25 At last, Congress gathered enough courage to serve show cause notices to its four dissident MLAs Konda Surekha, Adinarayana Reddy, Srikanth Reddy and Amarnath Reddy for indulging in anti party activities. They were asked to submit their explanations before one week, why they shouldn’t be expelled from the party for their antiparty activities. Perhaps, this is the boldest decision ever taken by the Congress party during the recent times.
However, Konda Surekha who spoke to media on yesterday has stated that, she is not afraid of any notices. She also states that, both the state and the centre will be toppled in August this year. Since, the matter reached to point-of-no-return with serving notices to the dissidents, now all the four MLAs are become free birds and can actively participate in the campaigning on Jagan’s behalf. Although, Congress thinks that, it can keep rest of the dissidents intact with Congress party many of them may get inspired and follow the ‘four.’
2011/12/12 14:30:23 The Telangana Rashtra Samithi has given clear indications that it would nominate former MLAs who joined from the other parties as its official candidates for the by-elections.
TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday appointed four former MLAs as the in-charge of constituencies that they represented earlier. While Jogu Ramana was made incharge of Adilabad assembly seat, Gampa Goverdhan will be incharge for Kamareddy, Jupally Krishna Rao for Kollahpur and T Rajaiah for Station Ghanpur constituency.
These MLAs have recently resigned from the TDP and Congress to join the TRS. They have also resigned from the assembly membership which necessitated by-polls in these constituencies.
It may be mentioned that the TRS nominated Pocharam Srinivas Reddy from the Banswada assembly seat in the by-election which he earlier represented as TDP MLA. He got elected from the seat in the by-elections held in October this year. (INN)
Gali asks Cong to hasten action against rebel MLAs
2011/12/9 12:53:29 The Telugu Desam Party on Friday asked the Congress party to explain as to when it would take action against its 16 MLAs who defied the whip in favour of YSR Congress party.
Addressing a press conference at the NTR Trust Bhavan, TDP deputy floor leader Gali Muddukrishanna Naidu suspected that the Congress might spare the rebel MLAs to avoid by-elections in the respective constituencies. He said that the Congress party should hasten the process of disqualification of its rebel MLAs, if it was serious.
Muddukrishnamma Naidu said that the TDP would sweep the by-elections as the people were fed up with the politics of both the Congress and YSR Congress party.
The TDP leader also alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged illegal assets of Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has slowed down ever since he visited Delhi. He suspected that Jagan might broker a fresh deal with the Congress party using the rebel MLAs. In order to avoid or win the by-polls, the Congress might loosen the CBI's noose around Jagan in illegal assets case, he said. (INN)
2008/5/12 2:09:34 The ensuing by polls are turning out to be a big source of worry and headache to the TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao. Many TRS activist themselves are saying of the record that the party will not be able to retain all the 16 assembly seas and the four parliament seats.
The reasons for the setback are being put squarely at the door of KCR. He is being blamed to have forced the MLAs to quit and go in for fresh polls. Many TRS MLAs have a pos rerecord as legislators in the last fours years. The people in their consistencies are none to happy with their track record.
KCR’s highhandedness and internal bickering will cost the party dearly, say some senior TRS men. By current indications, the TRS is facing an uphill task in two Lok Sabha and eight assembly constituencies i.e. in 50 percent of the seats.
2011/12/3 15:56:04 YSR Congress party president and Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday issued a stern warning to the MLAs who are supporting him to restrain from "playing double game."
"Either you stay with me, or leave the party. Don't behave like a cat on the wall," Jagan reportedly told 21 MLAs who attended the meeting held at his residence at Lotus Pond here on Saturday. Jagan was reportedly angry at reports that some MLAs who have earlier pledged support to him were in touch with the Congress leaders.
Later, briefing the media about the meeting, former minister Pilli Subhash Chandrabose said that MLAs associated with the YSR Congress party will support the No Confidence Motion in the assembly. He said the decision to support the TDP's move was taken as the State Government has totally ignored the welfare of farmers in the State.
Chandrabose said that the MLAs would defy the Congress party's whip to vote in favour of No Confidence Motion. He said the Jagan group MLAs were not afraid of Anti-Defection Law and would happily accept disqualification and then face by-polls.
The former minister said that the MLAs would meet again on Sunday evening to finalise the strategy for the No Confidence Motion. (INN)
2011/12/6 9:25:12 The MLAs loyal to YSR Congress party on Tuesday stated that they would face the by-elections boldly and confidently on the YSR Congress ticket and win in all the constituencies with flying colours.
Talking to media persons before attending the meeting convened under the presidentship of Jagan Mohan Reddy at Lotus Pond in Banjara Hills, Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose said that the MLAs violated the whip issued by the Congress party during the No Confidence Motion intentionally and knowing well the consequences of disqualification. Stating that all 16 MLAs would contest in the by-elections, he said they would win them with a huge margin.
Another MLA Gurnath Reddy said the government has mounted pressure on all MLAs to fall them in line. However, the MLAs defied the whip and voted in support of No Trust Motion. Responding to a question, he said that the party was not concerned about which party introduced the No Trust Motion and supported it as the State Government has failed to resolve the problems being faced by the people. (INN)
2010/12/16 3:25:44 Congress MLA R. Damodar Reddy has claimed that 15 MLAs and five to six MPs of the ruling party from Telangana were eager to join hands with Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.
His claim was refuted by another party leader J.C. Diwakar Reddy who emphatically said that none of the 156 Congress MLAs would switch over to Jagan's camp. They would like to stay with the ruling party to curry official favour, he added. Mr. Damodar Reddy and Mr. Diwakar Reddy were talking to media persons in the Assembly lobbies separately.
Mr. Damodar Reddy said most of the Ministers were expecting mid-term polls to be ordered since several Congress MLAs were looking to Mr. Jagan. They were unhappy for not having say in the administration which was mostly handled by Congress high command. Even the posting of officers was done from New Delhi. As a result, officers visited corridors of power in the capital.
He disclosed plans of Congress MPs from Telangana to hold a dinner meeting in New Delhi later this month to discuss their strategy in the present circumstances marked by confusion. Party MLAs and MLCs from the region would also be invited for the meeting. Later, they would meet AICC president Sonia Gandhi.
He criticised Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan for reportedly presenting to the Centre a rosy picture about Telangana though the region had passed through a rough time due to the agitation for separate State.
Handlooms and Textiles Minister Dr P Shankar Rao on Friday stated that the Congress leaders in the state should not oppose the decision taken by the Congress High Command of taking action against the 16 rebel MLAs who defied the party whip during the No Confidence Motion.
Minor Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh on Friday stated that all doors have been closed for those rebel MLAs who want to return to the Congress party.
The Congress party on Sunday took light of the resignations of three MLAs - Jupally Krishna Rao, T Rajaiah and S Satyanarayana - and said that their exit would not have any impact of the party in the Telangana region.
However, Konda Surekha who spoke to media on yesterday has stated that, she is not afraid of any notices. She also states that, both the state and the centre will be toppled in August this year. Since, the matter reached to point-of-no-return with serving notices to the dissidents, now all the four MLAs are become free birds and can actively participate in the campaigning on Jagan’s behalf. Although, Congress thinks that, it can keep rest of the dissidents intact with Congress party many of them may get inspired and follow the ‘four.’ 
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi has given clear indications that it would nominate former MLAs who joined from the other parties as its official candidates for the by-elections.
The Telugu Desam Party on Friday asked the Congress party to explain as to when it would take action against its 16 MLAs who defied the whip in favour of YSR Congress party.
YSR Congress party president and Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday issued a stern warning to the MLAs who are supporting him to restrain from "playing double game."
The MLAs loyal to YSR Congress party on Tuesday stated that they would face the by-elections boldly and confidently on the YSR Congress ticket and win in all the constituencies with flying colours.
