VHR Calls Off Deeksha, Denies It Is Against Cong

In less than 3 hours after starting a silent protest demanding a Medhomadanam in the Congress, Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao called off his protest, following an appeal made by deputy chief minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha.

Talking to media persons after calling off his protest at Gandhi Bhavan, Hanumantha Rao said that he withdre his deeksha following an assurance by Damodar Rajanarasimha, that he would take the issue up with the party high command.

Stating that Medhomadanam was not intended to be against the party or the government, he said that his proposal was aimed at bringing back the past glory of the Congress and to strengthen it at all levels.

VHR dismissed reports that appeared in a section of media that his demand for Medhomadanam would cause a huge damage to the party.

Responding to a question on whether Telangana issue would come to the fore with Medhomadanam, he said that the statehood issue had nothing to do with refurbishing the party in the state.

VHR said that he was seeking a 2-day Medhomadanam to discuss the recommendations and suggestions of the Dharmana Committee.

The Rajya Sabha MP appealed to Damodar Rajanarasimha to accommodate former PCC chiefs and Central ministers to strengthen the PCC Coordination Committee. He said that he would prevail upon the high command to organize a Medhomadanam to discuss the recommendations of the Dharmana Committee. He also said that the high command would take up all measures to improve the morale among the party's cadre, and also to fill up nominated posts with loyal and senior workers. (INN)