Sridhar Babu’s resignation leads to more protests, speculations

Karimnagar: While the Congress workers continue to lash out at Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy for changing Manthani MLA D. Sridhar Babu’s portfolio, BJP and other parties have been terming the development as a political drama to dupe public of two regions. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s unexpected move has resulted in a massive outrage from the Congress followers as well as Telanagana protagonists.

A bandh was observed on the very first day of New Year. Protesters burned effigy of N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, besides leading protest marches across the district. Interestingly, pro-Telangana activists too staged dharnas condemning the CM’s decision.

Meanwhile, workers of the BJP and TRS said they are smelling something fishy in the row. “I don’t think the high command is so weak to entertain decisions of N. Kiran Kumar Reddy. It is a drama scripted by the Congress. The high command is trying to create confusion to derive (should it be drive) political interests in Seemandhra and Telangana?” said BJP state vice president Gujjala Ramakrishna Reddy.

He wondered why the Congress had not quizzed Kiran Kumar Reddy for ‘sideling’ Sridhar Babu from the crucial post when debate over the Telangana draft Bill was going on in Assembly.
“Neither high command nor Digvijay Singh sought Kiran Kumar’s explanation over the stripping. The move is to undermine sacrifices of martyrs,” he remarked.

On the other hand, PCC member Y. Sunil Rao claimed that the Congress would never indulge in scripting dramas for gaining political mileage out of the incident.

“The Congress is committed to create Telangana. Sridhar Babu is a staunch follower of the party. He was criticised by various parties during the Telangana movement at its peak stage,” he asserted.

“Till recently, Sridhar Babu’s stance was doubtful. His resignation for the commercial tax portfolio reflected his serious commitment towards Telangana movement. Now, there is a clear-cut clarity over his stance for Telangana statehood. His resignation is welcomed. We hope he would continue his fight in the same the spirit,” said TRS district president Eada Shankar Reddy.

In a related development, Votila Ratnakar, PCC legal cell joint convener and P. Murahari Rao, DCC secretary resigned from their posts in support of Sridhar Babu over the stripping. PCC secretary Bomma Sriram Chakravarthy termed the resignation as a laudable effort.