YSR Property Of Congress: D Srinivas

Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President D Srinivas on Thursday stated that former Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has no moral right to use the photograph of his father and former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy while campaigning for the Kadapa and Pulivendula by-elections.

Talking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan, the PCC chief asserted that YSR is the "property of the Congress" even after his death.

Srinivas also said that Agriculture Minister and party candidate for the Pulivendula Assembly seat Y S Vivekananda Reddy was the true political heir of the former Chief Minister, and that Jagan has no right to use YSR's photograph in the elections.

Reacting to Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy, MP V Hanumantha Rao and Nizamabad MP Madhu Yaskhi Goud levelling allegations of corruption against YSR, the PCC chief said that the party has nothing to do with the allegations since the views were expressed in the Congress leaders' personal capacity.

DS, however, asserted that these charges were baseless.

"The ministers never misuse their official position. They have always discharged their duties efficiently," he said.

The PCC chief also stated that he has no differences with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy over the selection of candidates to contest the by-elections.

"The media has launched a malicious campaign against the Congress," he stated.

Srinivas also stated that the Congress In-Charge For Andhra Pradesh Affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad will also campaign for the party candidates in the by-elections. However, the schedule of the High Command's representative would be announced after it is confirmed, he said.

The High Command was also contemplating using the services of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) President K Chiranjeevi in the campaign, the PCC chief stated.

Reacting to allegations that the state government has issued GO No. 177 to further weaken the separate statehood agitation, Srinivas said that he was not aware of the contents of the GO.

"I can react only after going through the GO. As far as I know, no GO has been issued against any specific part of the state. I am sure that the order has not been issued specifically against Telangana, and that it covers government employees across the state," he stated.

When asked to comment on Budvel MLA Kamalamma and others rejoining the YSR Congress Party, Srinivas stated that serious action would be taken against those who indulge in anti-party activities. (INN)