Irked with the party for not including any leader from Telangana in the Congress Working Committee (CWC), senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP V Hanumantha Rao said that it was disheartening that the party did not acknowledge the efforts of the Telangana Congress unit which was fighting the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party day in and out.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Tuesday nominated 23 members for the CWC, which includes party president Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Oommen Chandy and Siddaramaiah. However, no Telugu leader made it to the elite decision-making body.
Speaking to TNM, Hanumantha Rao said, “Every day we are fighting against the injustice done by the TRS. We are fighting them constantly. If the party doesn’t acknowledge this, wouldn’t it give the TRS an opportunity to criticise the Congress as a party which neglects Telangana?”
“Had the party inducted any Telangana leader into the CWC, it would have infused so much energy into the party… the karyakartas (party workers) would have been happy and would fight the TRS with much more vigour and zeal.”
The veteran leader added, “I am forever a Congress man, I don’t want to be in the CWC, but neglecting Telangana leaders will bolster the TRS. My regret is that it will give them an opportunity to blame Congress as a party which neglects Telangana. They might start a drama like NT Rama Rao about Telugu aatma gouravam (self-pride).”
Apart from re-constituting the CWC, the party had also elected 18 permanent invitees and 10 special invitees.
Rift within the party
The Telangana Congress is already reeling under a severe crisis following the exit of Danam Nagender, former Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee (GHCC) president, who was considered the party’s strong man in Hyderabad. He joined the TRS.
Former minister and Gadwal MLA DK Aruna had recently exposed the split in the party after she questioned the party leadership and protested the entry of BJP leader Nagam Janardhan into the party. Following Nagam Janardhan joining the grand old party, his rival and close friend of Aruna, MLC Damodar Reddy had joined the TRS.
Further, the newly appointed GHCC president Anjan Kumar Yadav has also expressed his strong opposition to former India cricket team captain Azharuddin’s plan to contest from the Secunderabad constituency.
Azharuddin had claimed that he has expressed his desire to represent Secunderabad to the high command. However, the two-time minister from Secunderabad reacted strongly against this decision and made it clear to the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Uttam Kumar Reddy that he would not let go of the Secunderabad seat for anyone.