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New party on anvil?
The Seemandhra agitation which has so far been bereft of political interference during the past 17 days is now likely to see a host of political leaders jumping into the fray. Even the possibility of some major developments like emergence of a new political party which could soon see a charismatic leader from Congress Party taking over the reins is not ruled out.
- Certainty of Telangana State may expedite things
- Many Congress leaders from Seemandhra may join
- Cong MLA Routhu Suryaprakash Rao spills the beans
- One section favours Kiran as he is battling to keep AP united
- But Chiru emerging strong contender in view of caste factor
- Seema leaders like JC Diwakar said to be speaking to Chiru
- Even name - Samaikya Indira Congress - being floated
V Ramu Sarma
Hyderabad: The Seemandhra agitation which has so far been bereft of political interference during the past 17 days is now likely to see a host of political leaders jumping into the fray. Even the possibility of some major developments like emergence of a new political party which could soon see a charismatic leader from Congress Party taking over the reins is not ruled out.
Congress MLA Routhu Suryaprakash Rao (Rajahmundry) on Saturday gave enough indications of such a move. Talking to media at Congress Legislature Party office, he said that soon a new regional party was on the cards and many Congress leaders from Seemandhra region were likely to cross over to it.
Congress circles even feel that if the party high command does not address the issues and apprehensions raised by Seemandhra region and put on hold the decision to carve out separate Telangana, the possibility of some Kapu leaders like Chiranjeevi coming to the forefront and taking the lead in the movement for United Andhra is not ruled out.
Though some are said to be of the opinion that Kiran Kumar Reddy take the lead since he has been strongly batting to keep the state united, others feel that Chiranjeevi should grab the opportunity. Even the caste factor would help in making the new party a force to reckon with in Seemandhra, they claim.
The new outfit is likely to be christened as Samaikya Indira Congress. The announcement regarding floating the new party is likely to be made soon after the monsoon session of the Parliament ends. The Seemandhra leaders who are fast losing confidence that the Congress party would agree for a rethink on the T issue are making quick moves in the direction of floating a new party.
Seema leaders like J C Diwakar Reddy are also said to be in close contact with leaders like Chiranjeevi. The Congress leaders feel that the party in Seemandhra region is handicapped as it does not have a powerful leader. Meanwhile, sources indicate that some Congress leaders and former PRP members have been asking Chiranjeevi to either revive PRP or float a new regional party.
To a query, Rao said that keeping in view the developments in Delhi and the adamant attitude being displayed by the Centre on the issue of division of the State, Congress leaders from the Seemandhra region were contemplating to take the extreme step to quit Congress party. Asked who could be their new leader – Kiran or Chiranjeevi – he said he was not sure of that, but either of them could be the new mascot for the United Andhra agitation. Rao said he had also written a letter to the Chief Minister, asking him to convene a special session of the Assembly to discuss the Srikrishna Committee report.
