Lobbying for TPCC chief’s post hots up

​Hyderabad: Several senior leaders have stepped up lobbying for the post of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president. This has followed a speculation that TPCC president N Uttam Kumar Reddy may be replaced. The leaders have been lobbying with the high command through their own channels. Few of them have been mustering support of other leaders to exert pressure on the high command. 

Recently former MLA D K Aruna s held a get-together with some leaders at a farmhouse. According to sources, she has been trying to secure the support of senior leaders to seek the post of TPCC president. She has been trying hard to get the post of PCC president for the past two years. Leaders in the party said that Aruna has also been trying to secure party ticket to contest from Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha constituency or MLC post if she is denied the post of TPCC president. 

Party leaders like Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, Damodar Raja Narasimha and Madhu Yashki have also sought the post of TPCC president. According to party leaders, if Uttam Kumar Reddy is elected as leader of the Congress Legislature Party, he may be relieved of the post of TPCC chief. The election of CLP leader is expected to take place next week. 

It is also possible that the high command may decide to not disturb Uttam Kumar Reddy as TPCC president even if he is elected as party Legislature Party leader, a few Congress leaders said. The high command may not intend to disturb the set-up in view of forthcoming elections. Party leaders who are in the know of the developments in the AICC, however, said the party high command is concerned over bickering in the TPCC.

The AICC leadership, which is busy now with Parliament session, may turn its focus on the State party affairs after Sankaranti. By the time, the CLC leader’s election too will be over, source said. If the party high command decides to appoint an MLA as TPCC president, as is the case in other States, Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy may emerge as front runner.