D Srinivas Announces Team To Downsize Shabbir Ali

In yet another controversial move, CLP leader in the Telangana Legislative Council Dharampuri Srinivas on Thursday announced his team by making almost all MLCs office-bearers.

The Congress party, which had a strength of 17 MLCs in Telangana Council after the bifurcation, was reduced to 9 following a revolt by 8 senior MLCs who joined the Telangana Rashtra Samithi.

The 8 MLCs had revolted against DS, accusing him of paying bribes to his colleagues to ensure his election as the CLP leader on June 3.

However, amid all the allegations, Srinivas was elected as the CLP chief, while Shabbir Ali, who lost by 1 vote, was elected as the Deputy CLP leader.

Srinivas faced severe criticism following the "Cash For Post" saga. The exit of senior MLCs including Bhanu Prasad, K R Amos, Yadav Reddy, Jagadeshwara Reddy, Rajeshwar Rao, Bhupal Reddy, Rajalingam and Nethi Vidyasagar too aggravated his problems.

However, on Thursday, DS took a decision hitting at the powers of Shabbir Ali.

He appointed Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy and Maganti Ranga Reddy as Deputy CLP leaders along with Shabbir Ali.

Likewise, M S Prabhakar has been appointed as Whip, while Farooq Hussain and Santosh Kumar have been made Deputy Whips.

Thus, out of 9 Congress MLCs, 7 are now office-bearers of the Congress Legislature Party. (INN)