YSRCP is not ally of Congress party: Botsa

Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Tuesday said that the YSR Congress party was not an ally of the Congress party although it voted in favour of UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential elections.

Talking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan, the PCC chief said that the Congress would treat YSRCP as a foe and not an ally. Thanking the YSRCP for voting in favour of Pranab Mukherjee, Botsa Satyanaraya said that YSRCP has to make it clear as to why it has voted in favour of him in the election. He dismissed the reports that appeared in a section of media that he YSRCP and the Congress conspired with each other for the Presidential polls.

Stating that there was no need for the Congress party to conspire with the YSRCP, he said if anyone comes voluntarily to support the leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi the Congress party would welcome them.

Botsa described YSRCP honorary president Y S Vijayamma's deeksha at Sircilla in Karimnagar district as a political stunt to get mileage over the weavers’ issue. He condemned Vijayamma for staging deeksha at the time when the government was extending financial package for them.

Regarding TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu's announcement of giving 10 seats for the Backward Classes, Botsa said that Naidu was afraid of losing BC support due to SC/ST Sub-plan being introduced by the government. However, he said that the people would not believe Naidu’s "cheap gimmicks".

Responding to allegations linking his name to violence in Lakshmipeta in Srikakulam district, which claimed five lives, the PCC chief said that a section of leaders were trying to tarnish his image politically.