Ready To Take On Jagan: Shankar Rao

Handlooms And Textiles Minister P Shankar Rao on Tuesday stated that he was ready to contest the by-elections to the Kadapa Parliamentary constituency against former Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy if the High Command were to permit him.

The by-elections to the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat and the Pulivendula Assembly constituency are scheduled to be held on May 8th.

Talking to mediapersons at the Congress Legislature Party Office, Rao stated that he was ready to contest from either of the 2 constituencies if the High Command directs him to do so.

Dr. Shankar Rao expressed confidence that the voters would give a fitting lesson to those who are 'misusing' former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's name, and tarnishing the image of the Congress Party.

Condemning the view expressed by a few that the by-elections would witness a fight between the people who claim to be the heirs of YSR's legacy and the AICC President Sonia Gandhi, the Minister stated that the former Chief Minister had loyally worked for the Congress Party till his last breath.

Alleging that Jaganmohan Reddy had influenced the voters with money during the recent Legislative Council elections, the Minister stated that the former MP has no belief in democratic principles. (INN)