Anantapur: Former central minister Kotla unconvinced over negligence by APCC

Anantapur: Former Union minister Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy and leaders from Kurnool district remained unconvinced after a party delegation told them on Thursday that no insult was intended in his exclusion from a Congress meeting at Bandlapalli on Tuesday.

The former minister was not allowed on the dais at the function to mark 10 years of the MGNREGA that was attended by former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

Mr Surya Prakash Reddy, his wife Sujathamma and Kurnool DCC president B.Y. Ramaiah and several others boycotted the programme.

Sources said the party cadres were angry that the APCC leadership had allowed as many other local leaders on the dais, but not the former minister, who is the son of former chief minister Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy from Rayalaseema.

Though APCC chief Raghuveera Reddy tried to persuade the leaders, Sujathamma had expressed anger over the phone.

A delegation of senior leaders including former Union minister M.M. Pallam Raju and K. Bapiraju went to the Kotla residence and tried to convince them, but the cadres were angry and pointed out that this was third time that Mr Jaya Prakash Reddy was being ignored at party programmes.

Mr Surya Prakash Reddy said he would not leave the party but "the APCC leadership should convince the district party cadres." The Congress office at Kurnool remained closed for the second day, locked up by Kotla supporters.

Sources said the district leaders had an invitation from the Telugu Desam long ago which was renewed recently. Mr Raghuveera Reddy will visit Kurnool district to convince the cadres and leaders, it is learnt.