Cong. groups clash in front of observer

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG. 29. Rival groups of Ranga Reddy district unit of the Congress(I) clashed in the presence of the AICC(I) observer, Mr. Bhaktacharan Das, at the Government guest house here today .

Mr. Das, who was on a mission to probe the intra-party feuding in some districts over the results of Zilla Parishad elections, had a tough time in pacifying the agitated groups who created an unseemly scene.

The AICC(I) observer, who was hearing complaints from leaders of the two groups in his third-floor room, was stunned by the commotion that suddenly erupted outside. Followers of the Chevella MLA, Mrs. P. Sabita Indra Reddy, who came in large numbers, shouted slogans against the former Minister, Mr. K. Ram Reddy, accusing him of sabotaging the party's prospects of winning Ranga Reddy Zilla Parishad.

They demanded expulsion of Mr.Ram Reddy from the party. The rival group led by Mr. Srinivas Reddy, son of Mr. Ram Reddy, promptly countered the move of their opponents by raising slogans in favour of the former Minister.

Mr. Das was gheraoed by the boisterous supporters of both groups and he walked down the stairs with great difficulty. Some of them lifted the plastic chairs and attempted to hurl at the rivals.

The AICC(I) observer led the two groups to the lawns and addressed them briefly stressing the importance of discipline. But it failed to pacify the group demanding action against Mr. Ram Reddy. The police intervened to keep the two groups at bay. Mr. Das shifted to the verandah on the third floor and interacted with the important leaders to defuse tension.

Earlier, Mr. Das met ZPTC members independently to find out about the acts of indiscipline in the run-up to the election of chairperson of Zilla Parishad. Mrs. Sabita Reddy and Mr. Lakshmipathi Goud, aspirant for the chairman post, had a long discussion followed by Mr. Srinivas Reddy and others.

The AICC(I) observer is in the State to inquire into complaints regarding the manner in which the ZP elections were handled by party leaders in Warangal, Ranga Reddy and Khammam districts.

At Khammam yesterday, he had a similar bitter experience with the rival groups coming to blows.

Mr. Das said there was no way the Congress could have won the Warangal and Ranga Reddy ZPs, going by the arithmetic equations. He said Kurnool and Karimnagar districts, which had also witnessed war of statements between rival group leaders, were not on his agenda. He, however, met a strong delegation led by the Kurnool DCC president, Mr. K. J. Suryaprakash Reddy. Mr. Ram Reddy was also present.

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Section  : Southern States
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