Revanth Reddy’s meetings with Jana Reddy spark rumours

A few opine that the Chief Minister is seeking the former Minister’s suggestions over administrative matters, while others feel it is a ploy to keep his detractors in Nalgonda under check

NALGONDA: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s recent meetings with former Minister K Jana Reddy have triggered speculations within the Congress here, especially in erstwhile Nalgonda unit of the party. Many leaders are perplexed over what is brewing between the Chief Minister and the former Minister.

While a few opine that the Chief Minister was seeking Jana Reddy’s suggestions over administrative matters, others feel it is a ploy to keep his detractors in Nalgonda under check.

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Before the announcement of MLC candidates under MLAs quota, the Chief Minister had met Jana Reddy at his residence. In a closed-door meeting, the duo is learnt to have discussed different aspects and accordingly, Shankar Naik’s candidature was announced. Hailing from Miryalguda, Shankar Naik is a close aide of Jana Reddy and his candidature has sent clear signals to senior leaders in the Nalgonda unit.

This apart, the former Minister also has a good rapport with the high command, especially the Gandhi family. Further there is buzz in Gandhi Bhavan that Jana Reddy would also be given a prime post in the party. By doing so, the Chief Minister would gain command over party affairs in the Nalgonda unit.

Meanwhile, as the cabinet expansion has been due for a long time, leaders are lobbying hard for berths. Party sources said Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy’s wife and MLA N Padmavathi is eyeing the Deputy Speaker post.

Likewise, Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy’s brother and Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy is also hoping for a berth in the cabinet. It may be recalled that Rajgopal Reddy had sought the Bhongir Parliament ticket for his wife Laxmi.

After the party leadership allotted the ticket to Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, he had abstained from campaigning for the party. It was only after Revanth Reddy held a meeting with Rajgopal Reddy that he joined the campaign.

However, in the present context, citing the party rules of discouraging allotment of multiple posts for leaders from one family, aspirations of many could also be curtailed, more so because community equations also play a role.