Is the Congress high command seriously thinking about giving marching orders to the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for his open revolt against the decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh?
The buzz in political circles is that it could soon become a reality.
It is said that the central leadership wants to scuttle the Chief Minister's plan to defeat the Telangana resolution in the Assembly. Without giving him such an opportunity, the party might go in for change of guard in the state.
Having made a firm commitment on creation of separate Telangana state, the Congress is now in no mood to delay the process and will not hesitate to remove any obstacles in the path to the smooth division of the state.
If Kiran is seen as a hurdle in the path, he could be replaced, the sources said. On his part, the Chief Minister is refusing to budge from his position that the division of the state was a wrong decision and that he would continue to oppose it till the last moment.
He has vowed to ensure the defeat of the Telangana resolution whenever it comes up in the Assembly.
There is speculation that the Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy could be choice for the Chief Minister's post if Kiran is given the marching orders.
It is believed that Anam is acting on the behest of the party high command and his recent remarks criticizing the Chief Minister for his rebellious outbursts were seen as part of the strategy to corner the Chief Minister.
It remains to be seen whether the UPA leadership will go in for change of leadership in AP at a time when the state is caught in a political turmoil.
