Union Minister for Urban Development S Jaipal Reddy on Wednesday categorically stated that he was not in the race for Chief Minister’s post in the Andhra Pradesh. Talking to media persons after meeting Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Mr Reddy said that he was not in the race for Chief Minister post.
Mr Reddy said that he informed this to Mr Mukherjee before he left for Hyderabad to attend the crucial Congress Legislature Party meeting on Wednesday evening as observer. “I have not aspired to become the Chief Minister of the state at any time,” Jaipal Reddy said. The Union Minister said he was unable to come to Hyderabad since Parliament was in session. However, he said he would visit Hyderabad on Saturday.
Earlier, MPs belonging to Telangana region met Mr Jaipal Reddy at his residence. They are believed to have mounted pressure on him to accept the Chief Minister’s post. The MPs delegation consists of Ponnam Prabhakar, Rajaiah Sircilla, Balram Naik and Suresh Kumar Shetkar met the Minister.
According to sources, the party High Command is favourably inclined to the idea of Mr Jaipal Reddy succeeding Mr Rosaiah as the next Chief Minister since he is considered as an integrationist despite hailing from Telangana. The High Command will also opt for Mr Jaipal Reddy, despite his saying no, since he may be acceptable to the Legislators from Seemandhra region, especially since he has not been vocal in the Telangana statehood agitation.