Fear of wash out makes Kiran not to contest
Hyderabad : Former Chief Minister and Jai Samaikyandhra Party president N Kiran Kumar Reddy appears to have developed cold feet in the face of adverse feedback and sprang a surprise by opting out of the contest for the coming Assembly elections.
The ostensible reason he gave was that he is required to campaign for his party's candidates in other constituencies. On the last day of the filing of nominations in Seemandhra region on Saturday, Kiran announced his decision to opt out of the race and instead fielded his brother N Kishore Kumar Reddy from Pileru Assembly constituency in his native Chittoor district.
Kiran, who floated 'Jai Samakyandhra Party' last month to strive for unification of the State, was expected to file his nomination papers, seeking re-election from the constituency.
'I have decided not to contest the election because I am required to campaign for my party candidates in various constituencies,' the former Chief Minister said.
The new party, floated by him last month, has evoked lukewarm response with only a handful of Congress leaders sailing with him.
Among those his supporters are expelled Congress MPs like Sabbam Hari and U Arun Kumar. 'Jai Samaikyandhra Party' has put up candidates in both Telangana and Seemandhra regions, going to polls on April 30 and May 7 respectively. His party's stated objective is to re-establish unity among Telugu-speaking people and protect Telugu pride.
Kiran's detractors in the Congress point out that his decision to launch a party has come too late in the day. They say that the call for integrated State finds no resonance now in view of the changed political reality.
As per the AP Reorganisation Act, two States of Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh will come into existence on June 2. So far, Kiran has not participated in the campaign on behalf of the candidates in Telangana.
He is concentrating mostly in the Seemandhra region, where he is expecting some victories. It seems Kiran does not want to lose the election an become a laughing stock among the people of both States.
JSP leaders are of the view that the coming elections would throw up a fractured verdict and no party would be in a position to form the government. This may lead to another round of elections and realignment of parties.
News Posted: 20 April, 2014
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