Infighting among Kadapa district Congress leaders came to the fore during the felicitation of the endowments minister, Mr C. Ramachandraiah, who visited the district for the first time after assuming charge as minister here on Sunday. Congress leaders and Praja Rajyam leaders grandly felicitated him at the meeting.

However, district ministers D.L. Ravindra Reddy and Md Ahmedullah, and Kamalapuram MLA G. Veerasiva Reddy did not attend the meeting.

It may be recalled that some Congress leaders had tried in vain to ensure that Mr Ramachandraiah did not get a Cabinet berth. Now, they are quiet.

A large number of Praja Rajyam activists and leaders attended the meeting. Leaders belonging to Mr Ramachandraiah’s caste also attended the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Ramachandraiah said that generally, he had no quarrel with others and added that if forced, he would go all out and fight.

Political observers feel that Mr Ramachandraiah will establish a separate group in the district and support his loyalists.

In the welcome flexi boards and posters put up for Mr Ramachandraiah’s meeting in the district, there were no photos of the three Congress leaders.

Mr Ramachandraiah’s tour was a huge success in the district, but has ignited internal differences in the Congress unit.