The Congress party on Sunday rubbished media reports that claimed a possible change in the state's leadership.
Talking to reporters in the Congress Legislature Party office, Minor Irrigation Minister TG Venkatesh stated that N Kiran Kumar Reddy would continue to be the Chief Minister till the 2014 elections. He ruled out the possibilities of any change, at this stage, in the Chief Minister's post. He also claimed that Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy was never interested in becoming the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He clarified that Jaipal Reddy, as the Union Minister for Petroleum and Gas, was aiming to serve the state by ensuring proper gas supply.
Venkatesh also welcomed the Centre's decision of allowing FDI in retail and other sectors. He commended the move, saying that it would benefit the common man by ensuring access to global quality products at affordable rates.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Erasu Pratap Reddy also rubbished the news doing the rounds, stating that there be would no change in the Chief Minister's post till 2014, and that Kiran Kumar Reddy would continue to lead the government.
Pratap Reddy also accused TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu of not performing the duties of a responsible Leader of the Opposition, and asked him to end "the political drama". He derided Naidu, saying that he was neither interested in debating issues of the public in the Assembly, nor was he capable of representing them outside of it. He said that the government was willing to run the sessions till mid-night on all days, if the TDP and other parties agree for the same. (INN)