Chiru sets eyes on Kiran's chair
HYDERABAD: There is a lesson in the Karnataka verdict for the Congress in Andhra Pradesh. Internal squabbles did the BJP in there, and the same fate could befall the Congress if escalating spats between the Kiran Reddy camp and the Chiranjeevi faction are not dealt with.
Tension between Chief Minister Kiran Reddy and megastar and Union Minister of State for Tourism K Chiranjeevi, who is being projected by his camp as the next Chief Minister, is now palpable.
Among those giving voice to Chiranjeevi's aspirations is close aide and Endowments Minister C Ramachandraiah. Harping on the theme of 'Chiru-for-CM in 2014', he has credited the star for the party's victory in Karnataka.
At a recent a public meeting, Ramachandraiah ignored Kiran in his speech, instead insisting that Chiranjeevi and Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Botcha Satyanarayana would lead the Congress to victory in the 2014 polls.
The cold war between the CM and his detractors has also taken on a caste colour as Botcha, Chiranjeevi and Ramachandraiah belong to the Kapu community. It is now a clash between the Reddys and Kapus.
Ramachandraiah's remarks should be seen in the context of the growing demand in the party for a bigger role for Kapu leaders.
There is a general opinion among Kapus like Botcha, former APCC chiefs D Srinivas and K Kesava Rao, Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao and minister Kanna Lakshmi Narayana that majority of Reddys and Dalits, once the Congress vote-bank, are now rallying behind Jagan.
If the Congress can woo backward castes, who constitute about half the state's population, and Kapus, who make up 14 per cent of the population, the party can turn electoral fortunes in its favour.
Backward caste Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy backed Ramachandraiah by saying there was nothing wrong if Chiranjeevi wanted to be named the CM candidate. After all, Raghuveera is sore with Kiran for giving priority to his Anantpur rival J C Diwakar Reddy.
Not to be left behind, Botcha also fired a warning shot at the CM, stating, 'Every leader in our party can question the decisions of our and leadership. That is why our party has been able to survive for years.'
News Posted: 12 May, 2013
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