Shankar Rao Baffled By Congress Spurn

Expressing his disappointment that he was not given a chance to face former MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy in the by-election from the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency, Handlooms And Textiles Minister P Shankar Rao on Friday said that the official party candidate and Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy would win "hands down".

Talking to mediapersons here, Dr. Rao said that even though he was keen to take on the former MP on his home turf, the Congress had opted for Dr. Reddy to contest against Jagan for the Kadapa parliamentary seat.

"However, I accept the party's decision and will extend wholehearted support to the Congress candidate," he said.

Dr. Rao further said that he was confident that Dr. Reddy would make Jagan bite the dust in the by-elections.

The Minister added that the Congress would use the names of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and All-India Congress Committee President Sonia Gandhi while campaigning for the by-elections.

"The Congress will not be using former Chief Minister YSR's photos anymore. The party will prove that it has a strong hold in Kadapa by winning the by-elections," he stated.

Rao further said that he was hoping that the party cadre and leaders in the Kadapa district would make collective efforts to win the elections by sinking any differences among themselves. (INN)