Will Resign From MLC Post: Jeevan Reddy

Expressing his displeasure over BRS MLA Sanjay Kumar joining the Congress, Congress MLC Jeevan Reddy today announced that he would resign as MLC.

Taking serious objection to the State Congress leadership's "unilateral decision" to induct the Jagtial MLA into the party, Reddy said that he would relinquish his MLC post, but would continue in the Congress.

"I will give a clarity on the matter of resigning as MLC after discussing with my supporters and party activists," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, Minister D Sridhar Babu, Government Whip Aadi Srinivas and other Congress leaders tried to convince Reddy at his residence in Hyderabad on Monday to refrain from resigning, but the MLC was apparently very upset with the State leadership and decided not to change his decision.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Vikramarka said that Reddy was a beacon for all Congress leaders, and that his experience was needed to run the government.

"Jeevan Reddy is a senior leader who carried the Congress flag on his shoulders for ten years when the party was not in power, and voiced the party's ideology in the legislatures. His ideas must be considered for the functioning of the Congress government, and the party will respect his seniority by giving due importance to his opinions and not causing any disturbance," Vikramarka said.

He asserted that the party leadership was not ready to give up senior leaders under any circumstances. "If the senior leaders are not happy in the party, all leaders will suffer, and ultimately the party will be lost its sheen," he said.

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal also spoke to Jeevan Reddy over the phone, asking him not to take any drastic decision.