Kiran to meet supporters today

Hyderabad: Pressure is mounting on Kiran Kumar Reddy to take a final decision on whether he would be floating a new political party or not. All those who had supported him in the campaign against the T Bill feel let down as Kiran has been wavering on the issue.

In view of the increasing pressure, Kiran has convened a meeting of party leaders who are in favour of launching a new party on Sunday to take a final decision. According to S Sailajanath, the Congress party has betrayed the Telugu people by dividing the state. He observed that there is political vaccum in the region and hence the need for a political party with new ideology.

Sailajanath said all the MPs, MLAs and MLCs who are in favour of the new party would attend the meeting. It is learnt that Lagadapati Rajagopal and Vundavalli Arun Kumar would also participate in the meeting.

All those who would attend the meeting have been asked to come with reports on the prospects of a new party and the likely candidates who could be fielded in the elections. However, another minister Dokka Manikya Varaprasad said he is certain Kiran will not launch party.

Two other ministers Kondru Murali and N Raghuveera Reddy have charged Kiran with betraying the Congress party. Another minister C Ramachandraiah said the BJP and the TDP are responsible for the division of the State. He, however, did not reply if he intends to join the new party if Kiran decides to launch it.

Meanwhile, senior party leader J C Diwakar Reddy lashed out at the AICC president Sonia Gandhi for bifurcating the State. He said it was the misfortune of Congress party to have such a woman at the helm of affairs.