Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has started making efforts to launch a new political party, say sources.
According to sources in the CM camp, Kiran Kumar had delayed the idea of floating a new party for a long time, in the hope that he would be able to change the Congress High Command's decision over the Telangana separation issue.
However, reports suggest that when Kiran Kumar had visited Delhi last week, none of the senior Congress leaders took his telephone calls. Also, party chief Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh failed to give him an appointment, and this is being said to be the reason for this development.
"To promote his image as leader, he has been reckless in speaking against the Congress. He is attempting to build an image of being the champion of the cause of a united state, thus trying to draw the people's attention," says a source close to the CM.
Adds the source, "However, his first opportunity to do so has been lost. Kiran wanted to use the Monday's program, scheduled in Vizag to push his agenda further."
Organized by Ganta Srinivasa Rao, this event was an inauguration of a new flyover (built at a cost of Rs. 100 crore) in the city. Kiran had planned to use this occasion to make an announcement of his dissociation with the Congress party. But the sudden cancellation of event seemingly played spoilsport.
Meanwhile, several ministers in the CM's cabinet are keen to show the their faithfulness to the Congress party. According to a minister, around 11 ministers from Seemandhra are awaiting clearance of the party leadership to detach themselves from the CM.
Botsa Satyanarayana, PCC president, is leaving for Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the political scenario in the state with the central leaders.