Coalition to come in next, says Jairam

While claiming that he was not an astrologer to foresee the Congress’ chances of coming back to power in the Centre, Union minister Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday that the next government would be a coalition government and it could not be formed without the Congress.

During a media conference held at the residence of MLC Vakati Narayana Reddy here, Mr Ramesh reminded mediapersons that the Congress had formed government with alliance partners in the Centre in 2004 and 2009 even while the BJP had created hype through their ‘India Shining’ and ‘Loh Purush’ campaigns.

“The Congress never announces the name of the Prime Minister or Chief Minister nominees during elections. We fight the election on the basis of the symbol, party or manifesto, not on names,” said Mr Ramesh, taking potshots at the BJP and its PM candidate Narendra Modi. 

Referring to senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu’s statement about the pains he took favouring the Seemandhra region in the Rajya Sabha during the debate on the AP Reorganisation Bill, Mr Ramesh said that Congress minister K. Chiranjeevi had been the first to raise the issue in Rajya Sabha. “Although Mr Chiranjeevi started his speech by criticising the Congress, he made several demands for Samaikyandhra. A special package was given as per the request of Union ministers as well as ministers, MPs and MLAs of Seemandhra,” said Mr Ramesh.

The minister also assured that the Seemandhra region would have national-level educational institutes within the next five years and that the special package would transform every district in the residuary state.