The Telangana Congress on Saturday alleged that Y S Vijayalakshmi, widow of former chief minister of combined Andhra Pradesh Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, had convened the meeting at Hyderabad on September 2 only with a political motive, rather than paying homage to her husband.
Former Congress MP Madhu Yashki, chairman of the campaigning committee of the Telangan Pradesh Congress Committee, wondered why Vijayamma had thought of conducting a commemorative meeting for YSR after a gap of 12 years, that too, in Hyderabad.
He reminded that the Congress party had high regards for YSR and had been acknowledging his contribution to the party as well as the state time and again.
“YSR’s ambition was to see Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister of the country and we are all striving to realise his dream,” the former MP said.
Yashki sought to know why YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had abstained from the meeting convened by his mother.
“Can any son keep away from a meeting held in memory of his father? Since it was aimed at drawing political mileage for Y S Sharmila, Jagan skipped the meeting. It is unfortunate that Jagan and his family are trying to cut the branch of the Congress tree, which gave them political life,” he said.
Yashki lashed out at Congress MP from Bhongir Komatireddy Venkat Reddy for making pungent comments against the PCC leadership for giving directions to the party leaders not to attend the meeting held by Vijayamma.
“It was a decision by the party high command in Delhi. Anybody defying the decision would only be harming the party’s interests. All the Congress leaders, whether it was Komatireddy or me, have grown to the present level only because of Sonia Gandhi. One cannot go against her directions,” he said.
Recalling the statement of Vijayamma that Telangana would not have become a reality had YSR been alive now, the PCC leader sought to know whether Komatireddy would endorse her statement.
“It is an open secret that YSR had opposed Telangana formation. And the people of Telangana had rejected YSR stand,” he reminded.
On the allegation that the PCC remained silent over Congress MLA D Sitakka tying rakhi to Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, Yashki said it was unfortunate that Komatireddy was trying to give political colour even to such a gesture reflecting affection between a brother and sister.
“It is a mindless allegation,” he said.
Stating that it was wrong on the part of Komatireddy to speak from the political forum that opposed the Congress, Yashki said it was for the Bhongir MP to decide whether he wanted to remain in the Congress or quit the party.
“If you want to go out of the Congress, you are most welcome to take the decision. But don’t try to backstab the party from within the party. The high command will take a decision whether or not to take action against Komatireddy,” the PCC leader added.