Cong Announces By-Poll Candidates

Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana, on Monday, issued 'B' forms to 5 party candidates, for the by-elections to be held on 18 March.

The B-forms were issued to Vishnuvardhan Reddy from Kollapur Assembly segment, Damodar Reddy from Nagarkurnool constituency, Raji Reddy from Kamareddy in Nizamabad, R Prathap from Station Ghanapur in Warangal and C Ramachandra Reddy from Adilabad Assembly constituency.

Talking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan, the aspirants expressed confidence that the Congress would win the by-elections. They alleged that the development works have been completely neglected in the region by earlier MLAs.

"Earlier, the people of the region voted for those who resigned for the cause of Telangana. But now, the MLAs have resigned for selfish interests, and to get political mileage on the Telangana issue. The people will reject them in the by-elections, for not showing their commitment towards the development of the region," they said.

The MLA aspirants said that they would go to campaign in the elections, with government welfare schemes taken up for the benefit of the poor, and explain to people that statehood can be achieved only with the Congress in power.

They said they would work towards the development of the Telangana region if voted to power.

When reporters asked them about the dropping of Mohammad Ali Shabbir from the Kamareddy by-elections, official candidate Raji Reddy said that the High Command does not want to "disturb" Shabbir Ali as Coordination Committee member.

However, Rajireddy said he would make efforts to complete Shabber Ali's remaining tasks, and sought people's cooperation in this regard.

PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana expressed confidence that the Congress would win in all Assembly segments. He said that the party would announce its star campaigners' list in a couple of days. (INN)