Former Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport corporation Chairman Gone Prakash Rao on Saturday scoffed at the ‘oft-repeated’ statements of confidence by various Congress leaders, including Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, that those who leave the party would be in political wilderness.
Talking to media persons at the media point at the CLP, Mr Prakash Rao pointed out to former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu who ruled Andhra Pradesh for nine years after parting ways with the Congress. He also cited the examples of Union Ministers Mamatha Bannerjee and Sharad Pawar, who have attained political success after splitting from the Congress party.
Mr Prakash Rao, known for his frank words, told the Chief Minister that instead of worry about the political future of former Congress members, should indeed be worried about protecting his own chair, particularly in the light of speculation gaining ground that his reign would not last for long.
The former RTC chairman also pointed out that four MLAs were conspicuous by their absence at a programme organized in the Chief Ministers own district. He said that Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy is speaking about the future of others when he cannot even keep his own flock in check.
Mr Prakash Rao predicted that KKR may not even survive as the Chief Minister for even six month, a tenure far less than his predecessor K Rosaiah.
The staunch support of Kadapa leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy also stated that politicians, rattled by the surge of support for the former MP, have been making wild accusations. “These accusation, including the ‘lakhs of crores of rupees’ worth assets, were indeed baseless,” he said. He added that the politicians are making accusations, but no one has the wherewithal to back their words with proof.
Mr Prakash Rao then turned his attention to senior Congress leader Keshav Rao and said that he should not go around, provoking the passions of Telangana people by making wild statements.