Jana Reddy elected CLP leader

Jana Reddy,  a seven-time MLA and former Panchayat Raj minister, was on Tuesday chosen to be the Congress Legislature Party leader in Telangana Assembly. Jana is the first CLP leader in the new state of Telangana.

Senior Congress leaders Vayalar Ravi and Digvijay Singh attended the meet as observers.  When all the 21 party legislators were asked to spell out their choice,  they unanimously elected Jana Reddy.  Out of the 21 MLAs , 20 MLAs attended the meeting and one skipped the meeting citing personnel reasons.

Telangana Congress Committee leadership had two options; firstly, to leave the decision to the party High Command or to have the MLAs elect the leader. Sources said that Jana Reddy, Geetha Reddy, DK Aruna and Uttam Kumar Reddy were in the race. Since the party High Command was unable to choose from  those in the race, they left the decision to the MLAs.  

Speaking to media after the elections, Digvijaya Singh said that he hoped  Jana,  along with other Congress MLAs will work as effective and constructive opposition in the Telangana Assembly. 

An overwhelmed Jana said that they would keep the pressure on the ruling party to implement all the promises they made during the elections. He exuded confidence that they would bring Congress back to power in 2019 elections. He also thanked Sonia Gandhi for giving Telangana while sacrificing Andhra.  

-Siva@Sakshipost