Shankar Rao no comparison to YSR: Gone

Pooh poohing the statements of Secunderabad Cantonment MLA P Shankar Rao that he was senior than former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, senior Congress leader and former RTC chairman Gone Prakash Rao stated Mr Shankar Rao has not even worked as office-bearer in the party.

Mr Prakash told media persons that that YSR had rose up the party ranks from the ground level and reached his position by working hard for the party. He said that the party also recognized YSR’s services and named him as chief minister of the state.

However, Shankar Rao got party posts with only one qualification that he was the son-in-law of G Venkataswamy, the former Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mr Prakash said.

The senior Congress leader reminded that Mr Shankar Rao had got a party ticket and won as an MLA in 1982 while YSR won as MLA from Pulivendula in 1978. Mr Prakash Rao said that he was making the statement even though Mr Shankar Rao is his best friend, since he was inclined to speak what is right.

The former RTC chairman alleged that Mr Shankar Rao had started slinging mud against YSR as he had not got a ministerial berth in the YSR Cabinet.

Reacting on Cantonment MLA’s statement that “We are watch dogs of High Command. Whoever speaks against the High Command, we will bark against them and kill them mercilessly,” Mr Prakash said that those statements were uncalled for. He said only mad dogs would attack people.