Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

CLP meet not on Rosaiah’s agenda

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has said he will not, on his own, raise the issue of convening a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party or even reconstitution of his Cabinet when he meets Congress president Soina Gandhi in New Delhi on Saturday but will abide by whatever advice she gives.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, he said he had not sent any report to Ms. Gandhi about Ministers who were alleged to be not extending cooperation to him. If indeed there was non-cooperation, it was an issue which he would have to discuss first with his colleagues. Mr Rosaiah later left for New Delhi, his first visit after becoming Chief Minister.

Mr. Rosaiah said he was going to New Delhi with two missions -- first to thank Ms. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for extending a helping hand to the State following floods and drought and second, to seek sizeable Central assistance. He had deferred his visit so far as the Congress president was preoccupied with the Maharashtra elections.

He had already thanked them when they came here for aerial survey. “But, going to Delhi and conveying a feeling of gratitude in person will make a difference”. Asked to substantiate the “helping hand” extended, he cited the Prime Minister’s announcement of Rs. 1,000-crore assistance and despatching of Central teams for flood and drought.

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