Race for YSR’s successor hots up

Hyderabad, Sept 5: With the sudden demise of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the race for the Chief Minister’s throne in the state hots up. With the Congress high command putting off the decision of picking up the leader till September 9, Congress legislators and supporters of the Chief Minister’s son, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy stepped up their campaign.

Meanwhile, there are other names like those of S Jaipal Reddy and D Srinivas which have figured.

As many as 10 ministers of the present cabinet campaigned for Jagan Mohan Reddy for the Chief Minister’s candidature. The key person behind the move is to make Jagan the CM was Congress chief whip Mallu Batti Vikramarka. However, the move is not without opposition, and some senior leaders have cautioned them by advising them not to take any hasty decision.

Though the Congress high command was reluctant to name the successor, the MLAs loyal to YSR are making efforts to project Jagan as the Chief Minister.

The interim Chief Minister K Rosaiah, maintained that there is unity among the Congress MLAs and they would stand by the decision of the party high command.

Meanwhile, Keshava Rao, Congress Working Committee member, said the party high command will decide the successor to YSR. He criticised the ministers who threatened to resign if Jagan is not made the CM. This is not the time for us to make such statements, he added.

The senior leader said he was in agreement with the views expressed by APCC chief D Srinivas on the choice of choosing the right leader.