Cong warmed up for Kadapa by-polls: DL

Not surprisingly, the Congress is showing no regrets for the setbacks received at the hands of former MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy in the results of the MLC elections of the Local Authority Constituency in eight districts of the state.

On the contrary, the Congress party has claimed that it is now warmed up during the MLC polls to prepare for the ensuing elections in Kadapa Parliamentary constituency and the Pulivendula Assembly seat.

Talking to media persons at the state Secretariat on Thurday, Health Minister DL Ravindra Reddy said that the defeat of Congress candidate at the hands of the independents backed by Mr Jaganmohan Reddy was not something which should be worried about too much, since the party was confident that they would fare well in the next elections.

He also admitted that the former Congress MP has been calling the shots in Kadapa district since his father's demise.

Dr Ravindra Reddy said that the rebel leader had been dominating the scene with his brutal majority. The Minister stated that the Congress had started from scratch in the district and what they secured - 3 MLC seats in the LAC elections was a good beginning.

He had no regrets losing in the Kadapa as YSR's domination is still continued by his son. Accusing Mr Jaganmohan Reddy of monopolizing in the district, Dr Ravindra Reddy made it clear that the Congress leaders were not allowed to tour the district by the former MP's supporters.

“Even I could not attend any developmental programmes for the past four months in the district due to pressure from Jagan's brigade,' said the Minister.

“Even after the 2009 floods that hit the Kurnool district and other areas,” the Minister said, “the then chief minister K Rosaiah and he were not allowed to tour and meet the affected people in distress.” “Mr Jaganmohan Reddy has no service motto,” Dr Ravindra Reddy added. “All that he wants is the post of Chief Minister and all he has is the desire to amass more wealth,” said the Minister.

He denied any links with the TDP, who had not fielded any candidate in Kadapa in the MLC elections.