Pinapaka MLA Rega quits from party post

 Kothagudem: Pinapaka MLA Rega Kantha Rao has quit his position as the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) General Secretary and In-charge of Warangal Parliament constituency.

It is said that he is planning to join the Telangana Rashtra Samithi soon.  The reason for his decision is said to be the Congress party’s State high command’s refusal to honour his request to make him Bhadradri-Kothagudem DCC president. Kantha Rao, who posted his decision on his Facebook page, has shared his anguish with a newspaper on Friday.

“I am the TPCC General Secretary. But the party leadership failed to consult me before appointing Kothagudem DCC president. The AICC chief Rahul Gandhi wants young leaders to be promoted in the party, but the TPCC seems to be working against his ideas,” he said.

The MLA said he expressed his interest to lead the DCC, but the party leadership has appointed a veteran, Vanama Venkateswar Rao, Kothagudem MLA, as the DCC president. “He is over 70 years old. How can he actively serve the party’s interests?” he questioned.

It seems that TPCC wants to encourage those who often switch their political allegiance, he blurted with reference to Vanama who in the past jumped into YSRCP and joined the Congress later. There is no importance given to tribal leaders, he further added.

“Kothagudem is said to be a tribal district. But party appoints a non-tribal leader to lead the DCC. Tribal population in the district is upset and my followers too are annoyed,” said a miffed Rao.

On rumours of joining the TRS, he said had not taken a decision on that. “I first have to speak to my followers and people in my constituency. Then only I can take a decision,” he said, adding irrespective of the party he would work for the people of the constituency.