Minister Ponguleti a threat to Revanth Reddy, says CPI leader Narayana

CPI leader K Narayana claimed Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy poses a threat to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, triggering a political stir. Srinivas Reddy countered, warning of action against anyone threatening Congress workers ahead of Khammam elections

Khammam: CPI senior leader K Narayana on Monday triggered a political storm within the Congress when he claimed that there was a threat to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy from none other than Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.

Narayana, who campaigned for party candidates in Kothagudem Municipal Corporation and Edulapuram Municipality, during his interaction with the media said if Revanth Reddy loses the CM post, it would be because of Srinivas Reddy.

---

Former Prime Minister the late Indira Gandhi had faced troubles from her son Sanjay Gandhi and lost her seat. Similarly, Srinivas Reddy had become a trouble for Revanth Reddy, he said, also asking which party Srinivas Reddy belonged to five years ago, pointing out that those who switch parties frequently would not get public trust.

He also found fault with the Congress for its unilateral approach in disregarding the alliance it had with CPI. He noted that Khammam district has been a stronghold of the communists and the election battle was between those having money power and those who trust in the public support.

Meanwhile, Minister Srinivas Reddy during an election rally in Edulapuram Municipality on Monday said he would not tolerate those threatening his party workers over phone and warned that they would be sent to jail. His comments were said to have been directed at the CPI leaders. He said some were making threatening phone calls to Congress workers at night and maintained that he would not say anything until the election on February 11 was over.

After the election was over, every single phone call would be exposed and those who threatened Congress workers would be put behind bars, Srinivas Reddy said, adding that his party workers would not be afraid of anyone.