Date:26/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/26/stories/2008042659210400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Efforts on to woo Congress seniors

HYDERABAD: The Congress is keeping a watchful eye on the seniors from Telangana region, as it gears up for the byelections on May 29 even as the latter are a divided lot.

As the party prepares for an all-out campaign for the 16 Assembly and four Lok Sabha constituencies, efforts are on to woo the seniors. APCC president D. Srinivas and Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy have made known that they would be roped in.

Notwithstanding the lack of interest among ‘seniors’ in the byelections, APCC leaders are particular about their involvement. Though, partymen like Congress Working Committee member G. Venkataswamy, APSRTC Chairman M. Satyanarayana Rao and Telangana Regional Development Board Chairman V. Purushotham Reddy were opposed even to fielding candidates, the party does not want to distance them in the hope that their presence would benefit the nominees.

One-on-one meeting

Dr. Reddy held a one-on-one meeting on Friday with Mr. Satyanarayana Rao for an hour and sought his support . On his part, the APCC president has expressed willingness to take along the seniors during the campaign. Interestingly, the seniors themselves are a divided lot. Mr. Venkataswamy and Mr. Satyanarayana Rao are also ready to take part in electioneering. Mr. Purushotham Reddy may, however, skip the campaign having asserted earlier that the party would lose in the polls. Sources said he was upset over being ignored during the recent public meeting of Chief Minister.