AP Congress legislators authorise Sonia to name CLP leader
Hyderabad: The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Andhra Pradesh on Friday authorised the party president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, to select the new leader to succeed late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash in September.
The senior party leader, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, said after the meeting that the CLP unanimously passed a resolution moved by the late chief minister's son, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, requesting Mrs Gandhi to select the leader.
"Mr. Jagan moved the resolution requesting Sonia Gandhi to select the leader and it was carried unanimously," he said.
The union finance minister said that after his return to Delhi, he would report the proceedings to Sonia Gandhi and then she would name the new leader.
The party sources, however, said the selection of Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, as the CLP leader was only a formality and an announcement was expected in Delhi on Friday evening or Saturday.
Mr Mukherjee and Mr Veerappa Moily, general secretary in charge of party affairs in Andhra Pradesh, attended the CLP meeting as central observers.
The meeting, attended by 150 legislators, 49 members of council and 29 MPs, also passed a resolution condoling the death of YSR.
"The condolence resolution also appreciated the contribution made by Rajasekhara Reddy to build the state and his commitment and dedication to the people of the state in particular and the people of the country at large," said Mr Mukherjee.
He said the meeting also passed a resolution conveying heartfelt condolences to the families of "large number of people who died of shock due to the sad and untimely demise of Rajasekhar Reddy".
Another resolution condoled the death of Rajasekhar Reddy's secretary, chief security officer and two pilots in the helicopter crash Sep 2.
Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is an MP from Kadapa, has already given up his claim for the post of the chief minister after the central leadership decided to continue Mr Rosaiah as the chief minister.
Mr Jagan's supporters among the legislators also did not raise their demand during the CLP meeting. The legislators said before the meeting that while they personally want to see Mr Jagan as the chief minister, they would abide by the central leadership's decision.
The CLP meeting was convened a day after central leadership picked YSR's wife, Ms Vijayalakshmi, as the party candidate for by-election to Pulivendula assembly constituency.
By ignoring Mr Jagan's claim for the assembly seat that fell vacant due to his father's death, the central leadership has sent clear signals that it want him to continue as MP.
Later, addressing a meeting of party leaders at Gandhi Bhavan, the headquarters of the sate party unit, Mr Mukherjee rged the party cadre to remain united and dedicate themselves to serve the people.
He said there may be divergent views within the party but the cadre should work together to strengthen the party.
Latest Comments
The main issue after the demise of YSR was continuation of building the state (AP) fast on the lines of YSR's vision. For that the people of the state chose YSJMR as the successor. That would have facilitated to keep yhe party in tact and would have stopped the negetive local parties to resuge again. But few self interested senior leaders in the party were quite successful in convincing the high command to negativate the will of the people. All these things now took place are nothing but formalities of the party. Many such formalities can be done. But is it possible now to keep the party intact, to run the progress in the same speed and to curb the resurgance of the anti-development and anti irrigation projects. With the demise of great leader of our state, the bright future gone far back. But such irresponsible thinking of few in any party is inevitable and there is life for the negetive forces in the country, with such internal struggles.
More from Hyderabad
Post your comment