CPI, Congress leaders in race for KUDA chairman post; lobbying gets intensified

Even as the newly established KUDA is yet to commence its functioning on full scale, leaders of the ruling Congress and the local CPI MLA’s followers are engaged in lobbying for the chairman's post

Kothagudem: Even as the newly established Kothagudem Urban Development Authority (KUDA) is yet to commence its functioning on full scale, leaders of the ruling Congress and the local CPI MLA’s followers are engaged in lobbying for the chairman’s post.

There has been a competition among the leaders of CPI and Congress for the post. CPI leaders are claiming that the KUDA has been constituted because of the efforts made by Kothagudem MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao and hence the party says the chairman post should be given to any of the party leader.

---

According to sources, Congress leader Tulluri Brahmaiah, who happens to be a staunch follower of Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, has been lobbying for the post. He earlier made failed attempts to get the Khammam DCC Bank chairman post.

Another Congress leader Koneru Satyanarayana Rao, who joined Congress from the BJP during the last Assembly elections, is also hoping to get the KUDA chairman post. Both the leaders for long have been lobbying for any nominated post and setting up of KUDA revived their hopes.

It is being said that though Brahmaiah has the backing of the Minister, since Kothagudem constituency is represented by CPI, he might not be interested to involve himself in this matter and it is an upsetting aspect for Brahmaiah.

Meanwhile, MLA Sambasiva Rao, who also happens to be the CPI State secretary has been consulting Srinivas Reddy, deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao to get the post for his party leader.

Kothagudem CPI district secretary Sabir Pasha is also said to be in the race for the KUDA chairman post. Sambasiva Rao has been throwing his weight around to ensure that the chairman post would be allotted to CPI disappointing hopefuls in Congress.

It might be noted that CPI won Kothagudem Assembly seat in alliance with Congress. The issue of nominating KUDA chairman has become a topic of debate in the local political circles to know whether the Congress leadership honours its pact with CPI and gives post to that party or prefers a Congress man.