C Ramachandraiah is getting the taste of Congress politics. The political lobbying mounted against his proposed induction into the cabinet as PRP representative has even reached Delhi.
Congress leaders DL Ravindra Reddy, Ahmadulla, Veerasiva Reddy – all of them from Kadapa district – dashed off to the capital and made fervent appeal to Gulam Nabi Azad against taking Ramachandraiah – from Rajampet in Kadapa – into the ministry. They said any such move will cause irreparable damage to Congress Party in the district.
Veerasiva Reddy, who has been opposing the former TDP leader’s elevation from day one, reportedly threatened that he would have to leave the party if the high command went ahead.
The Kadapa delegation is also learnt to have to told Azad that Ramachandraiah is also close to Jagan, as it was he who launched Raghuram Cements (later renamed Bharati Cements) and sold it to the YSR Congress leader.
Both Congress and Chiranjeevi are at a loss as how to get over this piquant situation. Ramachandraih played a key role in the merger of PRP with Congress. He is also an important political adviser to Chiranjeevi in wading through the maze of Congress politics.
It is this tricky situation that has been stalling the PRP induction into the cabinet, as Congress bigwigs already gave a go-ahead to Chiru for inducting two of his men. It is to be seen how Chiru will solve this puzzle.
