No loss to Cong in by-polls: DS

The Congress has not suffered any loss in the recently held by-elections to 12 constituencies in Telangana region, stated Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas.

Talking to media persons after reviewing the performance of party in the by-elections with Ministers, MLAs and party workers at Gandhi Bhavan on Monday, the PCC chief blamed the Telangana sentiment for the party’s dismal showing in the elections. “The elections were held on Telangana sentiment that’s why the Congress and other parties were defeated in the electoral battle,” he stated.

He said that the state Congress leaders will write a letter to the High Command giving reasons for the debacle in the elections. “The leaders have decided to put the facts before the Congress president Sonia Gandhi,” he stated.

The PCC chief said the Congress party will respect the people’s verdict in the elections.

When asked about the lack of strong leaders in party might have caused for debacle in the by-elections, he said there is no leadership crisis in the party.

Mr Srinivas said the Congress leaders will meet Srikrishna Commission and present their views on Telangana statehood issue.

The PCC chief said he would analyse the discussions and the views of the candidates who lost in the elections before drafting a report.

Except Shabbir Ali (Yellareddy) and A Lakshmankumar (Dharmapuri) all candidates who contested from the Telangana region attended the meeting.

Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy and Information and Public Relations Minister J Geetha Reddy were also present in the meeting. 

The meeting focused on the failure to motivate cadres, inability to generate confidence among voters on Telangana issue, failure to conduct intensive and broad-based campaign and lack of leadership.