Naini Rajender Reddy followers continue fast-unto-death

Hanamkonda: The ongoing Congress leaders’ fast-unto-death demanding Warangal West ticket for DCC President Naini Rajender Reddy has entered second day on Monday.

It may be recalled here that a host of City Congress leaders, who locked themseleves inside the party office here, have gone on hunger strike on Sunday following the news that Warangal West ticket is being allotted to the Telugu Desam Party as part of Mahakutami (Grand Alliance) seat sharing.

Former Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao (VH), who turned to party office tried to pacify the stirring leaders, said: “We all know that Naini has been with the party for over three decades. In thick and thin, he has been with the party. He is a loyal and committed party worker, whose role 
in strengthening the party cannot be ignored.”

“It’s unfortunate if he was not given the ticket considering his unrelenting service to the party. It’s understandable that party is facing some constraints due to its alliance partners. However, we still have time to convince the leadership to allow Naini Rajender Reddy contest from Warangal West seat,” VH said, assuring the cadres of speaking to the Telangana in-charge RC Khuntia and TPCC President N Uttam Kumar Reddy over the issue. He also assured the leaders of taking the issue to the notice of TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu so that Mahakutami will not lose Warangal West seat.  

Even though VH tried to convince the leaders to end their protest, the latter refused to do so until the B-Form is given to Naini Rajender Reddy. Responding to VH’s call, Greater Warangal Congress President Katla Srinivas Rao urged the party leadership to protect the cadres by giving ticket to Naini. “If Naini is denied ticket, it will send wrong signals to the party workers.

Party workers will lose faith in leadership,” Katla Srinivas Rao said. The cadres kneeled down before VH and urged him to speak to Congress leadership so that Naini would get Warangal West ticket. Later, VH met the NSUI activists who were staging a protest at the Kakatiya University main gate demanding ticket for Naini. He appealed to them to end their protest.

Meanwhile, a large number of party workers especially women gathered at the party office raised slogans demanding ticket for Naini. On the other hand, party’s district functionaries led by Greater Warangal President Katla Srinivasa Rao continued their hunger strike inside the party office.