Congress to hold meet in Chandur

HYDERABAD: The Congress will hold an extended executive meeting in Chandur of Nalgonda on Friday, in a show of strength to minimise the political fallout from Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy’s decision to quit the party and his Assembly seat.

The meeting is crucial for TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy to assure the party’s high command of his control over party members. The TPCC is trying to take control of the constituency before Rajgopal Reddy and other parties influence its cadre.

Sources said that Chandur was chosen as it is where Rajgopal Reddy regularly meets locals and attends private events. He visited Chandur even on Wednesday to oversee civil works and interact with local leaders.

Further, the Congress believes that Rajgopal Reddy gained the confidence of the party’s local cadre in Chandur over the past two weeks and that they might follow him to the BJP. He also held a meeting with Congress party workers in Chandur on July 22, less than a fortnight before deciding to quit the party.

On Friday, the Congress meeting will be addressed by Nalgonda’s senior leaders, including former minister K. Jana Reddy. The AICC-assigned strategy and campaign committee is overseeing arrangements for the event.

Congress star campaigner and MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy is unlikely to attend the meeting, as to not draw the ire of his brother. Sources said that the older sibling repeatedly excused himself from confronting his brother, citing issues with Revanth Reddy who allegedly ridiculed his family.

The latest report by the party’s poll strategist K. Sunil that indicates bleak chances of victory in its strongholds has added to the party’s apprehensions.

Sources said that the report cited the party’s failure in nurturing alternative leadership in most constituencies, despite having strong cadre bases, which has left the party in the lurch.