Digvijay Singh fails to unite sparring T-Congress leaders

The Telangana Congress is not likely to fight the ensuing elections to Assembly and Lok Sabha as a single unit. The recent nominations to different posts including the PCC President have widened the differences among the top leaders.

Former minister K Jana Reddy has already expressed dissent over denial of post of PCC chief with the Congress High Command. His visit to the national capital to meet AICC President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi coincided with AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh's visit to the city. He was not seen in any of the meeting conducted by Digvijay Singh with the Telangana Congress leaders.

Similarly, former minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir, who was named as Co-Chairman of Campaign Committee, looked inactive during Digvijay Singh's visit. He served as the incharge PCC Chief when Digvijay Singh visited the city last time as Botsa Satyanarayana was unwell. However, after being denied a top position in the recent nominations, his participation in programmes held by Digvijay Singh was limited. Other senior leaders including V Hanumantha Rao and D Srinivas kept themselves away from most of the programmes.

Senior leaders including Jana Reddy, D Srinivas, Shabbir Ali, Suresh Reddy and other MPs and legislators were either absent or kept themselves away from the limelight when Ponnala Lakshmaiah took charge as the first president of Telangana PCC on Saturday.

Digvijay Singh appears to have realised that Telangana Congress was a divided House. He also expressed the same feelings in a veiled manner after inaugurating “Indira Bhavan”, a new building for party headquarters for residuary state of Andhra Pradesh on the premises of Gandhi Bhavan. He stated that the Congress party was facing tough times post-bifurcation. He stressed the need for unity among Congress leaders and workers to ensure party's success in the forthcoming elections.