Congress Trying To Prevent Jana Reddy's Exit

The Congress High Command is trying everything to prevent former minister K Jana Reddy's exit from the Congress party.

Following reports that Jana Reddy might quit the Congress to join the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, several senior leaders spoke to Jana Reddy requesting him to re-consider his decision.

According to sources, AICC general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi spoke to Jana Reddy late on Monday night assuring the latter that the Congress party will do justice to him.

Jana Reddy was reportedly told that the party recognises his services, and appreciates his role in the Telangana movement. Dwivedi asked Jana Reddy to refrain from taking any hasty decisions.

However, it has been reported that Jana Reddy has declined the request on the grounds that a senior leader like him was ignored by the party during the recent appointments made for the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.

Further, as Jana Reddy allegedly pointed out, the party has also announced that a leader from the Backward Classes will be made the Chief Minister of Telangana.

In Reddy's opinion, this decision entails that a senior leader like him is being subjected to discrimination just because he hails from a different caste.

Meanwhile, senior leaders in the Telangana Congress have been directed to persuade Jana Reddy from leaving the party, even if he wishes to remain inactive during the next elections.

On the other hand, the Congress High Command has also started making calculations about the consequences of Jana's exit and its impact on the votebank comprising of Reddy's supporters who constitute more than six per cent of the total electorates in Telangana.

A list of probable party members who could join Jana is also being prepared, sources said. (INN)