Chiru submits report to Sonia over by-polls

Stating that winning maximum number of seats for the Congress party in 2014 general elections was his top priority, Rajya Sabha member K Chiranjeevi on Wednesday said that he had made important recommendations to Congress president Sonia Gandhi over the strengthening of party in the State.

Talking to media persons after submitting a report on recent by-elections in the State and reasons for party's failure to Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her residence at 10 Janpath, Chiranjeevi said that he had discussed with Sonia Gandhi over the reasons for Congress party failure and how to gear up the party for 2014 general elections. He said that Sonia Gandhi has recommended certain steps to strengthen the party in the State.

Chiranjeevi expressed confidence that the Congress would win maximum number of seats in 2014 elections if the recommendations of Sonia Gandhi were implemented at the ground level. He said that he never claimed that the Congress party won in Ramachandrapuram and Narasapuram assembly constituencies due to his popularity. Stating that the media has misquoted his statements in this regard, he said the Congress won in these segments due to the coordination and sustained efforts of all leaders.

The Rajya Sabha member said that the YSR Congress party has won the by-elections due to sympathy votes following the arrest of Jagan Mohan Reddy. Stating that there would be no change in leadership, he said that the Congress high command would take a final decision in this regard. “Whatever the high command directs me, I will accept it," he said. “I am ready work as ordinary worker of Congress party even if the High Command did not give me a Central minister's post,” he said.

Stating that the Telangana issue did not figured in their talks, he said that the high command would take appropriate decision on Telangana statehood issue at an appropriate time.

Minister for Infrastructure and Investments Ganta Srinivasa Rao was also present in meeting with Sonia Gandhi.