The Hindu : APCC chief asked to clarify on remarks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

APCC chief asked to clarify on remarks

By T. Lakshmipathi

HYDERABAD JUNE 21. The Congress high command has taken a serious note of certain remarks said to have been made by the APCC president, M. Satyanarayana Rao, against Indira Gandhi and called for an explanation from him.

The AICC general secretary, Vayalar Ravi, who is in charge of Andhra Pradesh, phoned up Mr. Satyanarayana Rao from Delhi and directed him to "explain the derogatory'' remarks against the revered leader of the party.

Mr. Satyanarayana Rao's elaborate denial of the charges does not seem to have cut much ice with the party central leadership According to party sources, the central leadership of the party "is very unhappy'' about the recent statements of the PCC president which, it believes, are harming the image of the party.

During the telephonic conversation, Mr. Rao tried to explain to the AICC general secretary that he did not make any objectionable remarks against Indira Gandhi, whom he held in high esteem.

Sources aver that the AICC general secretary was, however, not convinced by the argument of Mr. Rao and sought a written explanation on all the complaints that Delhi received along with "evidence'' in the form of video and newspaper clippings.

Some party leaders from the State drew the attention of Mr. Ravi to the observations the PCC president made at a press meet at Annavaram in East Godavari district and also at a party workers' meeting. Mr. Rao was reported to have commented that the Congress suffered setbacks due to the domineering attitude of Indira Gandhi.

Reports in vernacular press about his call to TDP legislators to revolt against the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, also led to criticism within the Congress party and outside.

Mr. Rao's adversaries, notable among them being S. Indrasena Reddy, one of the PCC general secretaries, promptly alerted the high command about the damage being done to the party "due to his irresponsible remarks.''

At a press conference yesterday, the PCC president dubbed the "adverse newspaper reports and telecasts'' against him as malicious and intended to defame him.

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