Sonia to decide Andhra CLP leader

Sat, Nov 28 05:37 AM

Confusion prevailed over whether Chief Minister K Rosaiah was elected as leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) or not. The CLP meeting was held on Friday afternoon, in the presence of Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and AICC in-charge of party affairs in Andhra Pradesh Veerappa Moily. But after the meeting, Mukherjee said the CLP passed a unanimous resolution asking Congress president Sonia Gandhi to select the leader to succeed late chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

YSR's son and Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy moved the resolution requesting Sonia to select the leader. "The resolution was passed unanimously and after I return to New Delhi and inform Soniaji about the proceedings, she will make the announcement," Mukherjee said.

Sources in the Congress said that since the high command's choice was Rosaiah, it meant that he had been elected and the unanimous resolution requesting Sonia to name the leader simply indicated that she should make the announcement.

While Mukherjee and Moily were the central observers, Friday's meeting was attended by 150 of the 155 MLAs, 50 MLCs and 30 MPs. The meeting started with the passing of a resolution condoling the death of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. The CLP meeting was called after YSR's wife Vijayalakshmi was nominated for the by-election from Pulivendula — YSR's constituency.

Earlier, Mukherjee and Moily also spoke to MLAs and MPs and asked them to stay united. Mukherjee was also informed by the APCC leaders that internal dissent led to the party's poor performance in the civic polls.

Sources said though no trouble was expected from Jaganmohan's supporters, Mukherjee and Moily were wary after the condolence resolution was passed and the CLP leader resolution was mooted by Jaganmohan. "However, none of the MLAs, MLCs or MPs created any mischief. Jaganmohan apparently reiterated to all his supporters that he is no more in the race for the CM's post, so everyone should abide by the high command's decision," a source said.

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