Union minister of state for Railways Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy tells Amar Tejaswi that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was always against Telangana statehood, but was forced to take the decision on diving the state.
How big a factor is the state’s bifurcation in the Kurnool?
I think our party (Congress) itself has spoiled the mood here. However, to solely blame the Congress for the bifurcation is not correct. All the parties had supported it and YSR should be rightly blamed for it. He was desperate to win in 2009 elections and got a line supporting Telangana included in the Budget speech. Mrs Sonia Gandhi was never in favour of Telangana statehood. People who were in the Congress are to be blamed for this situation. But this election is more about personalities than parties.
Did you not think of leaving the party considering your junior colleagues have switched loyalties in the light of the Congress’ dimming prospects?
No, because people who were in the Congress like T. G. Venkatesh, E. Pratap Reddy etc. have spoiled the party’s prospects. They themselves would say the Congress will not come to power again. So people also start thinking in the same way. The high command should have taken action against them long back.
So, in a way, you are suggesting that despite the bifurcation, had all the Congress leaders stayed with the party, the prospects would have been better?
Definitely. If they had stayed in the Congress, situation would be different now. If either of the TD or the YSRC form the next government, there will be trouble. They are promising so many schemes, like increase in pension amount etc. Where is the money for all that? State finances are in shambles and with main source of income being Hyderabad, there will be more trouble. The next 10 years will be very tough. I don’t think a government formed by either of these parties will be able to sustain itself for more than 2-3 years. Same holds at the Centre as well. Polls will be held again in 2016 or 2017.
What about your political future?
I cannot change parties, it is not good. People also don’t have faith in leaders who change parties. I have been a Congressman all my life, my family has been with the Congress. Other parties have approached me, but I didn’t want to go. People’s support is with me.
What is your poll plank?
I am contesting for the fourth time from here so I know what the problems of the people are. Main issue is drinking water and irrigation. I requested for a Rs 50,000 crore package for Kurnool. I have plans of at least three projects in this region, which will solve water problems including a lift irrigation project for Tungabhadra and an pipeline project from Hospet.
