Maiden visit by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and a show of unity by the Opposition on the soil of Andhra Pradesh seems to have rattled the ruling Telugu Desam party if the reaction of the party leaders was any indication.
Close on the heel of his successful visit to Telangana and impressive rally, Rahul will be addressing a public meeting in Guntur this evening. He was accorded a warm welcome at the Gannavaram airport by senior Congress leaders Digvijay Singh, N Raghuveera Reddy, T Subbirami Reddy and Former Minister Pallamraju
While a group of TDP workers led by MlA V Vamsi Mohan staged a protest outside the Gannavaram airport at the time of Rahul’s arrival, tension prevailed as some workers threw black paint on the flex erected to welcome the leader. They shouted slogans against Rahul’s visit.
In Guntur, where the Congress organised the rally in support of special category status to Andhra Pradesh, State Ministers launched an attack against Rahul and the Congress.
Deputy Chief Minister KE Krishnamurthy said that Rahul had no right to visit Andhra Pradesh as his party was responsible for bifurcation of AP. He urged the people to boycott the meeting.
On special category status, the Minister wanted to know whether Rahul had ever raised the issue in the Parliament. “The special package was in the best interest of the State,” he added.
Meanwhile, State Minister K Srinivasulu told the people to boycott the meeting “Congress divided the State in a very unfair manner. Those who attend the Congress meeting will be seen as obstructionist in the path of development. By organising the meeting, Congress is challenging the pride of Telugu people,” he said.
Two other Ministers Ayyanna Patrudu and Anand Babu said “Congress had died in the State long ago. They should be ashamed to organise the meeting.”
But on the other hand, beleaguered Congress party got a shot in the arm with
popular Telugu actor and founder of Jana Sena party Pawan Kalyan extending his support and good wishes to the meeting
“I will support any political party who is fighting for special status for AP. My best wishes to Raghuveera Reddy Garu (APCC President).”
Congress had invited pawan Kalyan to address the meeting but he expressed his inability to attend due to short notice.