Fireworks by Chiru, Lagadapati

Hyderabad: The meeting of the Union Ministers and the MPs from Seemandhra here on Saturday reportedly saw Union Minister of State for Tourism K Chiranjeevi taking a strong objection to a remark by Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal. It is said that Rajagopal took a swipe at the Central Ministers, saying some were covertly supporting the bifurcation process with an intention to become the Chief Minister of Seemandhra State.

An agitated Chiranjeevi was said to have hit out at the MP and made his strong displeasure known to him. Rajagopal had also said that some Seemandhra Congress leaders were betraying the people who were demanding resignations by all Congress Ministers and MPs to mount pressure on the Congress high command to rescind its T State proposal.

Rajagopal had tough time, pacifying Chiranjeevi that his remarks were not directed at him. Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy is learnt to have advised them not to resign at this juncture. Kiran made these observations when Purandeswari and some others called on him after the meeting at the Ministers’ Quarters. According to sources, Kiran told them that their presence in Cabinet was necessary to obstruct the preparation of the T note when it came up before the Cabinet.

MP Ananta Venkatarami Reddy said, "We won't request our party high command to reverse the T decision. But, what we will urge the party leadership is that the T process shall not be taken forward unless an agreement is achieved between the two regions on core issues."