Revanth missing as Congress CMs rally behind Rahul

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy stayed away from Rahul Gandhi's protest in New Delhi and the Congress' "Chalo Lok Bhavan" demonstration in Hyderabad, even as party leaders across states joined nationwide protests against the detention of students and Opposition leaders

Hyderabad: As Congress Lok Sabha leader Rahul Gandhi led a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi against the detention of students and Opposition leaders, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy was conspicuous by his absence. He also skipped the party’s “Chalo Lok Bhavan” protest in Hyderabad, raising questions about his priorities.

Rahul Gandhi’s demonstration was joined by Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan in a show of solidarity with the party leadership. Both leaders rushed to Delhi after learning about the demonstration by the party leadership and Parliament members.

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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu could not attend the Delhi protest. However, he personally led a Congress demonstration in Shimla outside Lok Bhavan on Tuesday evening against the detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and protesting students, backing the party’s nationwide campaign.

In contrast, Revanth Reddy chose to visit his Kodangal Assembly constituency. He held a short march from his residence to Ambedkar Chowrasta and addressed party workers. The visit did not involve any major government programme that could not have been deferred, even as the Congress attempted to mount a nationwide political campaign over the developments in Delhi.

Meanwhile, the Telangana Congress organised the “Chalo Lok Bhavan” protest in Hyderabad under TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud. Ministers Damodar Raja Narasimha, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Mohammed Azharuddin and several senior leaders participated. Police detained them during the march and released them before Revanth Reddy returned to Hyderabad on Wednesday afternoon.