DL keeps options open, denies leaving Congress

Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy, who was dismissed from the State cabinet, appears to be keeping his options open on his future course of action. Ravindra, who has been holding talks with his followers in his home constituency Mydukur for last two days on record, denies that he was contemplating to quit the Congress party. "After a 35-year political career as a Congressman, I will not quit the party for a cabinet berth or some other benefit. I will continue or retire from politics," he said.

But his followers claim that Ravindra Reddy would take a final call after the second phase of the budget session. Sources said that the former minister's followers are exerting pressure on him to quit the party. Reddy himself told the media on Thursday at Mydukur that his supporters had expressed the view that he should not stay in a party which had insulted him. DL had started praising the former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and claims that he was close to him have raised many eyebrows in the Congress circles.

Leaders like N Vardarajulu Reddy and G Veerashiva Reddy say that the former minister will soon quit Congress and join YSRCP. But this seems to be a distant possibility since YSRCP has already promised the Mydukur seat to another candidate. However, the Congress leaders do not rule out the possibility of Ravindra Reddy joining TDP. Telugu Desam, which is not very strong in the district, may give Mydukur seat to him.