Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas on Sunday called upon party rank and file to be careful about their choice of words when speaking about the High Command since any disparaging remark, however involuntarily, would damage the image of the party.
Addressing the gathering of party leaders and workers at the Gandhi Bhavan who had assembled to felicitate him on his completing his third year as PCC chief, Mr Srinivas said that it was the responsibility of the party cadre not only to build the High Command’s image, but also ensure that it is not damaged. He said that every sentence uttered by the party leaders or cadre would be not only observed by the people, but also by the High Command.
Any disparaging remarks made by the party cadre at all levels would invite the wrath of the High Command at an appropriate time, Mr Srinivas warned. Mr Srinivas appealed to the cadre not to put High Command in trouble by issuing controversial statements.
He called upon party cadre to strictly follow party discipline and work for taking the schemes introduced for the welfare of the people to the doorsteps of beneficiaries.
The PCC chief also expressed regrets that the unity and strength which prevailed in the party during the run up of the 2004 elections was not visible at present.
He added that this decline in the unity among party cadre had started during the run up to the 2009 elections and called upon all leaders and cadre to enthuse the party with renewed and collective efforts. “This alone would strengthen the party at grassroots level and would put the opposition on the back foot,” Mr Srinivas stated.
The PCC chief also revealed that he would speak to the High Command about filling the vacant nominated posts in the party once the elections to Assemblies of five states conclude.
Hailing Mr Srinivas’ services to the party during the past three years, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy exhorted the party cadre to follow in the PCC chief’s footsteps.
He also exhorted the party cadre to take the government schemes and party principles to grassroots level.
The Chief Minister said the party and its principles are greater than individuals and workers are ‘Gods’ for any party. “If party is strengthened by the workers, the government will function properly and implement welfare schemes and programmes effectively and efficiently,” he pointed out.
Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy stated that he hoped that the High Command will recognize the PCC chief services and give him responsibility at the National level. “This would bring laurels to the state and party,” the Chief Minister stated.
Former chief minister K Rosaiah stated that the government can solve the problems of people effectively and implement its schemes and programmes efficiently if the party was strengthened at grass-root level. He said the party has to learn lessons from its defeats and take them as challenges.
Union Minister for Petroleum S Jaipal Reddy pointed out that the state was witnessing volatile situation. Unity among the party cadre was even more needed at this critical juncture, the Union Minister stated. “If the coordination and cooperation among party cadre improves, the political situation in the state will be stable and Andhra Pradesh will witness a lot of progress.” Mr Jaipal Reddy stated.
Former chief minister Nadendla Bhaskar, former PCC chief V Hanumantha Rao and M Satyanarayana were present. They all hailed the services of Mr Srinivas services to the party.