Would accept Union Minister's post gladly: Rayapati

Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao on Monday stated that he would accept a Ministerial post if Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offers him a berth during the expansion of the Union Cabinet.

The MP, who met Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at his Camp Office along with Rural Development Minister and NREGS D Manikya Vara Prasad to thank him for sanctioning a Super Specialty Hospital at Mangalagiri in Guntur district, told media persons that in all probability, the Union Cabinet would be expanded by January end.

When the reporters asked about his joining in the Union Cabinet, he said “if luck is there on my side I will join the Cabinet.”

The MP statement assumes importance in the wake of mounting speculations that Congress MPs from Telangana region would be accommodated in the Cabinet expansion as part of an undeclared ‘appeasement’ policy by the party to water down the demands of a separate Telangana state. 

Reacting on Pulivendula Assembly by-elections which have been necessitated by the resignation of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s widow YS Vijayalakshmi from the seat as well as from the party, the MP said the Congress candidate would win with a thumping majority.

Expressing his gratitude, Manikya Vara Prasad praised Chief Minister for sanctioning 75 acres of land for the purpose.

He said the long-pending demand for setting up of super specialty hospital was well received by people of Guntur and benefit needy.