Jeevan Reddy Firm on Quitting Congress Despite Pacification Bid

KARIMNAGAR: Senior Congress leader T. Jeevan Reddy on Tuesday indicated his decision to quit the party would remain unchanged, despite efforts by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud to persuade him otherwise.

Mahesh Kumar Goud travelled to Jagtial and met the former minister, urging him to reconsider his move and retain his long association with the party. He said the Congress high command valued Jeevan Reddy’s 43-year political career and regarded him as a senior figure in the state unit.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the TPCC chief said he had requested Jeevan Reddy not to end his association with the party and conveyed that the All India Congress Committee leadership was keen on retaining him. He acknowledged that recent local political developments had caused the senior leader distress but expressed hope that he would not take a decision against the party’s interests.

However, Jeevan Reddy maintained that the situation offered no resolution and said he could no longer continue in the party. Following the meeting, his supporters removed Congress banners and flags from his residence, indicating a widening rift.

The former minister said he had not placed any demands before the TPCC chief and that his decision was linked to self-respect and dissatisfaction over local political developments. He stated that he had earlier informed the leadership of his intention to remain only until the municipal elections and described his decision as final.

Jeevan Reddy has convened a meeting of his supporters and party workers on Wednesday at 10 am at a garden in Jagtial, where he is expected to announce his resignation and outline his future course of action.