CLP asks CM to bridge govt-cadre gap

Hyderabad: The crucial Congress Legislature party meeting held here on Wednesday asked the Chief Minister to ensure that the growing gap between the government and the party cadre narrowed down forthwith. . During the two and half hour long meeting, the members raised several issues like the power shortage, scarcity of drinking water etc which could pose problems for the party in the local body elections. While appreciating the remarks of Kiran Kumar Reddy that the local body elections would have its bearing on the general elections, the members felt that the party would be facing embarrassing situation if it does not find solution to issues like acute power shortage which was over 12 hours in rural areas. The success in the cooperative elections need not be taken as the indicator that all is well for the party, they felt. The CM assured the members that the government was making all out efforts to see that the crisis was over come soon. It will buy power at whatever cost it is available from outside and supply for agriculture. The government will also announce its solar and wind power policy before the current session of the assembly goes in for recess, he said. The PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana asked the members to send the names for constituting block and mandal level committees. He said only those who are below 45 should be made the presidents of these committees. On the issue of disqualification, some members insisted that immediate action be taken and that the PCC president and CM should set the house in order and put a check to exodus from the party. According to the chief whip G Venkataramana Reddy it has been decided to write to the Speaker seeking disqualification of the members who had switched loyalties to other parties in the next few days. From Thursday onwards, Kiran and Botcha will review the performance of the party in the lobbies of the Assembly.A Incidentally, out of 154 MLAs only 65 attended the CLP meeting. Of 39 ministers 34 attended. Danam Nagender and Mukesh Goud were among the absentees.