Differences Between Minister And MP Surface Again In Peddapalli Congress
Vamshi Krishna referred to the meeting organised by the Congress at Ramlila Maidan against what the party described as the BJP’s “vote theft: Reports
KARIMNAGAR: Differences within the Congress in Peddapalli have surfaced again, with local MP Gaddam Vamshi Krishna writing to IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu, questioning his absence at the party’s protest in New Delhi on November 1.
In a letter to the minister, Vamshi Krishna referred to the meeting organised by the Congress at Ramlila Maidan against what the party described as the BJP’s “vote theft”.
The MP questioned the absence of Sridhar Babu and MLAs Vijayaramana Rao of Peddapalli and Makkan Singh Raj Thakur of Ramagundam there, even as the congregation, he said, was intended to project Rahul Gandhi as the future Prime Minister.
“I came to know that you participated in a spiritual programme organised in Manthani by spending `3 crore by inviting Sri Sri Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamiji. I would respect personal beliefs and religious programmes. But, a few developments that took place in Manthani recently are giving me a different feel,” Vamshi Krishna said.
He referred to a recent programme in which the Kaka Venkataswamy Charitable Trust distributed school bags to students of Koyyur government school. The MP said a tribal woman public representative and some Congress workers were suspended from the party the following day for attending the distribution programme. The suspension, he said, was done without issuing show-cause notices.
“If distribution of school bags is indiscipline, staying away from the party's dharna will be considered a more serious violation,” he said.
Questioning why no action had been taken against the two MLAs, Vamshi Krishna asked whether they should also not face suspension, while stressing the need to follow the principles of natural justice.
He said the patience, justice and protection extended to the MLAs should also be available to Dalit and ST women public representatives and ordinary Congress workers.
“Minister, MP, MLA or common party workers, everybody should be provided equal justice and common rules in the Congress party,” the MP stressed.
According to party sources, Vamshi Krishna organised the schoolbag distribution programme without informing the local MLA and minister Sridhar Babu. Village sarpanch and Congress leader Konda Rajamma was also not invited. Based on a complaint, some leaders who attended the event were suspended.
Later, deputy sarpanch Lakavat Savendar, said to be a follower of the MP, lodged a complaint with the collector, alleging corruption by the sarpanch in village development works.
