Dharmana to quit Congress

• Leaves the decision to followers
• Crowd raises ‘Jai Jagan’ slogans

Dharmana Prasada Rao said here on Sunday that he would not continue in the Congress party. He would not join TDP for its ‘anti-people policies’, but leave a final decision to followers. Rao made the announcement at a ‘Rajakiya Samalochana Sabha’ organised in System Engineering College, Ampole. It came amid speculation he would join YSRCP. Large number of party activists and his followers attended. When Rao asked what he should do slogans of ‘Jai Jagan’ rent the air. There is speculation that he would contest the Lok Sabha polls.

The meeting coincided with Potti Sriramulu’s anniversary. Rao, who garlanded his statue, said it was organised to have discussions with associates and admirers keeping in view current situation and the anti-people policies being adopted by the Centre and the State. Since his followers were dissuading him from continuing in the party admirers should suggest an alternative. He alleged the party was indifferent whether its leaders won or lost in polls; it only wanted to tie-up with a winning party for power.

He was anguished by the Central leaders’ indifference to people’s sentiments, even questioning AICC chief Sonia Gandhi decision. It was not right for the party to go for State’s division when majority people opposed it and CM N Kiran Reddy said no.