I played key role in making YSR PCC chief, says V Hanumantha Rao

Hyderabad: All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary V Hanumantha Rao on Wednesday said he played a key role in making former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy as president of the Pradesh Congress Committee in the past.

Addressing the media, he said, "I do not have any rivalry with the former Chief Minister. The former Chief Minister also had high regards for me." Hanumantha Rao said he never wanted the removal of YSR statue.

He said a section of the media has twisted the facts and it has been reported that he wanted the removal of YSR's statue from Panjagutta. He said in a fit of rage he scolded police for not giving permission to install statue of Ambedkar besides YSR's statue. "All I said was when YSR statue was allowed why not Ambedkar statue denied installation," he said.

He alleged that the police have behaved in a highhanded manner on Tuesday and taken away the statue of Ambedkar being brought by him to install at Panjagutta. He said even the whereabouts of the driver of the truck which brought Ambedkar's statue were not revealed.