Date:19/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/19/stories/2007071960240600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

VHR downplays PJR’s meet with TRS chief

HYDERABAD: Congress MP V. Hanumantha Rao sought to play down the political significance of the meeting between Khairatabad MLA P. Janardhan Reddy and TRS president K. Chandrasekhara Rao.

“My information is that Mr. Janardhan Reddy went to Mr. Chandrasekhara Rao’s house to seek support for UPA Presidential nominee Pratibha Patil,” Mr. Hanumantha Rao said when approached by reporters here on Wednesday.

Declines to comment

Mr. Rao declined to comment on the remarks made by AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh that none was deputed by the party high command to persuade Mr. Janardhan Reddy to put off his indefinite fast.

“I will not utter a word about the controversy as the Presidential election is more important,” he remarked. “We can wait till July 20 to discuss about Mr. Singh’s remarks,” said Mr. Rao, who had undertaken mediation efforts to end the controversy.

Meanwhile, Mr. Janardhan Reddy was reportedly upset over the remarks by Mr. Digvijay Singh.

Maintaining a silence, Mr. Janardhan Reddy was biding his time before taking the next step.