Date:29/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/29/stories/2007042903620600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Congress leader tries to rope in party dissidents

Special Correspondent

Takes part in dinner meeting of disgruntled MLAs

HYDERABAD: Former Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader P. Janardhan Reddy is making concerted efforts to rope in more partymen to rally against Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy for what he calls "the dipping image of the ruling party."

The Khairatabad MLA, who participated in a dinner meeting of MLAs disgruntled over the recent Cabinet expansion, plans to convene another meeting of "likeminded Congress legislators" in five days. Friday's meeting was hosted by Shadnagar MLA P. Shanker Rao, who has been openly criticising the Chief Minister and his political advisor K. V. P. Ramachandra Rao, for ignoring his claims for a Cabinet berth.