Former leaders coming back to Congress fold: Oommen

Nellore: AICC general secretary and AP Congress in-charge Oommen Chandy said that several Congress leaders who left the party were coming forward to rejoin the party fold. 

He visited Nellore as part of his one-day tour in the district on Thursday and interacted with the party workers of all constituencies in the district and reviewed on the political situation in their respective areas.

Speaking to media at Indira Bhavan, Oommen Chandy alleged that the Union government had failed to offer minimum support price to the farmers in the country. 

Explaining about status of projects in the district, he said both the Central and State governments have failed to construct Dugarajapatnam port which creates a huge employment opportunity for the unemployed youth in the region. 

He also explained that the then UPA government had allocated Rs 277 crore for Gudur-Dugarajapatnam railway line. But, the NDA government had failed to construct the line even after completion of required survey, said the AICC general secretary.

He also said that TDP MPs alleged that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had wilfully avoided M Venkaiah Naidu who strived hard for development of AP. Oommen Chandy also said the Congress party will provide Special Category Status to the AP if it comes to power at the Centre.  

He also questioned the state government why the estimates for construction of Polavaram project has been inflated within a short period. Chandy also received suggestions from the workers to revamp the party in the state. 

He said the Congress party will collect Rs 1 from each family as part of fund campaign and mandal-level and booth-level committees will be set up soon in the state to revamp the party. Congress party workers will take up door-to-door campaign seeking support to party in the coming elections, said Chandy.

Earlier, the Congress party leaders led by DCC president Panabaka Krishnaiah took out a rally from Pinakini guest house to Indira Bhavan in the city. PCC president N Raghuveera Reddy, DCC president Panabaka Krishnaiah, former Union minister Panabaka Lakshmi, leaders P Chenchala Babu Yadav and others were present.